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"Help!  Help!"  shrieked  Viviana  just  as  Guy  Fawkes  sprang  through 
the  aperture.     Page  44.  Guy  Fawkes 


EDITION    DE    LUXE 


THE  WORKS  OF 

William  Harrison  Ainsworth 


Guy  Fawkes 

or  the 

Gunpowder  Treason 

Volume  One 

w 

With  Illustrations 
By  GEORGE    CRUIKSHJNK 


THE  NOTTINGHAM  SOCIETY 

NEW    YORK  PHILADELPHIA  CHICAGO 


i  i\91i]^ 


EDITION  DE  LUXE 

Limited  to  One  Thousand  Sets 
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«  •  •       • 

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•       C  C 
«      C  tC 


to 
MES.  HUGHES, 

KINGSTON   LISLE,  BERKa 


My  dear  Mrs.  Hughes, 

You  are    aware  that  this  Romance  waf?  brought  to 
a  close   during   my  last  brief  visit  at   Kingston   Lisle, 
when  the  time  necessary  to  be  devoted  to  it  deprived 
me  of  the  full  enjoyment  of  your  society,  and,  limiting 
my   range — no  very  irksome   restriction, — to  your  own 
charming  garden  and  grounds,  prevented  me  from  ac- 
^    companying  you     in    your  walks  to  your    favorite  and 
^  beautiful  downs.     This  circumstance,  which  will  suffice 
S   to  give  it  some  interest  in  your  eyes  by  associating  it 
s)   with  your  residence,  furnishes  me  with  a  plea,  of  which 
^  I  gladly  avail  myself,  of  inscribing  it  with   your  name, 
■^   and  of  recording,  at  the  same  time,  the  high  sense  I  en- 
tertain of  your  goodness  and  worth,  the  value  I  set  upon 
your  friendship, — a  friendship  shared  in  common  with 
some  of  the  most  illustrious  writers  of  our  time, — and 
the  gratitude   I  shall  never  cease  to  feel  for  attentions 
and   kindnesses,  little   less  than  maternal,  which  I  have 
experienced  at  your  hands. 

In  the  hope  that  you  may  long  continue  to  diffuse 
happiness  round  your  own  circle,  and  contribute  to  the 
instruction  and  delight  of  the  many  attached  friends 
with  whom  you  maintain  so  active  and  so  interesting 
a  correspondence ;  and  that  you  may  live  to  see  your 
grandsons  fulfil  their  present  promise,  and  tread  in  the 
footsteps  of  their  high-minded  and  excellent-hearted 
father, — and  of  his  father  !  I  remain 

Your  affectionate  and  obliged  friend, 

W.  Harrison  Ains worth. 

Kensal  Manor  House,  Harrow  Road, 
July  26,  1S41. 


CONTENTS. 


VOLUME  I. 
JSook  tbe  f  trst. 

CHAPTKR  PA«« 

I.  An  Execution  in  Manchester,  at  the  Beginning  of  the 

Seventeenth  Century  1 

11.  Ordsall  Cave 14 

III.  Ordsall  Hall 17 

IV.  TheSearch 87 

V.  ChatMoss 46 

VI.  The  Disinterment 70 

VII.  Doctor  Dee 73 

VIII.  The  Magic  Glass 83 

IX.  The  Prison  on  Salford  Bridge 90 

X.  The  Fate  of  the  Pursuivant 97 

XI.  The  Pilgrimage  to  Saint  Winifred's  Well 105 

XII.  The  Vision 122 

XIII.  The  Conspirators 128 

XIV.  The  Packet 144 

XV.  The  Elixir 1.54 

XVI.  The  Collegiate  Church  at  Manchester 168 

XVII.  The  Rencounter 188 

XVIII.  The  Explanation 191 

XIX.  The  Discovery 195 

XX.  The  Departure  from  the  Hall 204 


JBooft  tbe  ScconO. 


I.  The  Landing  of  the  Powder 215 

II.  The  Traitor 229 

III.  The  Escape  Prevented 238 

IV.  The  Mine 846 

iii 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


<i 


VOLUME  ONE 

Help!  Help!  "  shrieked  Viviana  just  as  Guy  Fawkes  sprang 
through  the  aperture J Frontispiece 

PAGS 

Guy  Fawkes  gave  the  woman  the  crucifix  and  she  clasped 
it  to  her  breast 15 

Guy  Fawkes  stood  behind  a  tree  watching  Dr.  Dee  and  Kelley 

digging  in  the  new  made  grave 72 

Guy  Fawkes  was  just  in  time  to  prevent  Catesby  running 

his  sword  through  Chetham 190 

When  Garnet  reached  the  door  of  the  chamber,  he  saw  Viviana 

on  her  knees  before  Guy  Fawkes 205 

Fawkes  and  Catesby  soon  had  the  powder  safely  on  the  wharf.  228 

The  conspirators  listened  in  speechless  astonishment  to  the 
deep,  clear,  tones  of  the  bell.« 260 


Guy  Fawkes 


PREFACE. 


Thk  tyrannical  measures  adopted  against  the  Roman 
Catholics  in  the  early  part  of  the  reign  of  James  the 
First,  when  the  severe  penal  enactments  against  recusants 
were  revived,  and  with  additional  rigor,  and  which  led 
to  the  remarkable  conspiracy  about  to  be  related,  have 
been  so  forcibly  and  faithfully  described  by  Doctor  Lin- 
gard,*  that  the  following  extract  from  his  history  will 
form  a  fitting  introduction  to  the  present  work. 

"  The  oppressive  and  sanguinary  code  framed  in  the 
reign  of  Elizabeth,  was  re-enacted  to  its  full  extent, 
and  even  improved  vsdth  additional  severities.  Every  in- 
dividual who  had  studied  or  resided,  or  should  afterwards 
study  or  reside  in  any  college  or  seminary  beyond  the  sea, 
was  rendered  incapable  of  inheriting,  or  purchasing,  or 
enjoying  lands,  annuities,  chattels,  debts,  or  sums  of 
money,  within  the  realm ;  and  as  missionaries  sometimes 
eluded  detection  under  the  disguise  of  tutors,  it  was 
provided  that  no  man  should  teach  even  the  rudiments  of 
grammar  in  public  or  in  private,  without  the  previous 
approbation  of  the  diocesan. 

"  The  execution  of  the  penal  laws  enabled  the  king,  by 
an  ingenious  comment,  to  derive  considerable  profit  from 
his  past  forbearance.  It  was  pretended  that  he  had  never 
forgiven  the  penalties  of  recusancy ;  he  had  merely  for- 
bidden them  to  be  exacted  for  a  time,  in  the  hope  that 
this  indulgence  would  lead  to  conformity ;  but  his  ex- 
pectations had  been  deceived;  the  obstinacy  of  the 
Catholics  had  grown  with  the  lenity  of  the  sovereign ; 
and,  as  they  were  unworthy  of  further  favor,  they  should 

*  Vide  History  of  England,  vol.  ix.  New  Edition, 

Y 


Vi  PREFACE. 

now  be  left  to  the  seventy  of  the  law.  To  their  dismay,  the 
legal  fine  of  twenty  pounds  per  lunar  month  was  again 
demanded,  and  not  only  for  the  time  to  come,  but  for  the 
whole  period  of  the  suspension ;  a  demand  which,  by 
crowding  thirteen  payments  into  one,  reduced  many 
families  of  moderate  incomes  to  a  state  of  absolute 
beggary.  Nor  was  this  all.  James  was  surrounded  by 
numbers  of  his  indigent  countrymen.  Their  habits 
were  expensive,  their  wants  many,  and  their  imj)ortunities 
incessant.  To  satisfy  the  more  clamorous,  a  new  expe- 
dient was  devised.  The  king  transferred  to  them  his 
claims  on  some  of  the  more  opulent  recusants,  against 
whom  they  were  at  liberty  to  proceed  by  law,  in  his 
name,  unless  the  sufferers  should  submit  to  compound,  by 
the  grant  of  an  annuity  for  life,  or  the  immediate  payment 
of  a  considerable  sum.  This  was  at  a  time  when  the 
jealousies  between  the  two  nations  had  reached  a  height, 
of  which,  at  the  present  day,  we  have  but  little  concep- 
tion. Had  the  money  been  carried  to  the  royal  coffers, 
the  recusants  would  have  had  sufficient  reason  to  com- 
plain ;  but  that  Englishmen  should  be  placed  by  their 
king  at  the  mercy  of  foreigners,  that  they  should  be 
stripped  of  their  property  to  support  the  extravagance  of 
his  Scottish  minions,  this  added  indignity  to  injustice, 
exacerbated  their  already  wounded  feelings,  and  goaded  the 
most  moderate  almost  to  desperation."  From  this  de- 
plorable state  of  things,  which  is  by  no  means  over- 
colored  in  the  above  description,  sprang  the  Gunpowder 
Plot. 

The  county  of  Lancaster  has  always  abounded  in 
Catholic  families,  and  at  no  period  were  the  proceedings 
of  the  ecclesiastical  commissioners  more  rigorous  against 
them  than  at  that  under  consideration.  Manchester, 
"  the  Goshen  of  this  Egypt,"  as  it  is  termed  by  the  fiery 
zealot,  Warden  Heyrick,  being  the  place  where  all  the 
recusants  were  imprisoned,  the  scene  of  the  early  part  of 
this  history  has  been  laid  in  that  town  and  its  immediate 
neighborhood.    For  the  introduction  of  the  munificent 


PREFACE.  vii 

founder  of  the  Blue  Coat  Hospital  into  a  tale  of  this  de- 
scription I  ought,  perhaps,  to  apologize  ;  but  if  I  should 
succeed  by  it  in  arousing  my  fellow-townsmen  to  a  more 
lively  appreciation  of  the  great  benefits  they  have  de- 
rived from  him,  I  shall  not  regret  what  I  have  written. 

In  Viviana  Radcliffe  I  have  sought  to  portray  the  loyal 
and  devout  Catholic,  such  as  I  conceive  the  character  to 
have  existed  at  the  period.  In  Catesby,  the  unscrupulous 
and  ambitious  plotter,  masking  his  designs  under  the 
cloak  of  religion.  In  Garnet,  the  subtle,  and  yet  sincere 
Jesuit.  And  in  Fawkes  the  gloomy  and  superstitious 
enthusiast.  One  doctrine  I  have  endeavored  to  enforce 
throughout, — Toleration-. 

From  these  who  have  wilfully  misinterpreted  one  of 
my  former  productions,  and  have  attributed  to  it  a  pur- 
pose and  an  aim  utterly  foreign  to  my  own  intentions,  I 
can  scarcely  expect  fairer  treatment  for  the  present  work. 
But  to  that  wider  and  more  discriminating  class  of 
readers  from  whom  I  have  experienced  so  much  favor 
and  support,  I  confidently  commit  this  volume,  certain  of 
meeting  with  leniency  and  impartiality. 


GUY  FAWKES. 


THE  PLOT. 


Their  searches  are  many  and  severe.  They  come  either  in  the  nignt 
or  early  in  the  morning,  and  ever  seelc  their  opportunity,  when  the 
Catholics  are  or  would  be  best  occupied,  or  are  likely  to  be  worse 
provided  or  look  for  nothing.  They  willingliest  come  when  few  are 
at  home  to  resist  them,  that  they  may  rifle  coffers,  and  do  what 
they  list.  They  lock  up  the  servants,  and  the  mistress  of  the  house, 
and  the  whole  family,  in  a  room  by  themselves,  while  they,  like  young 
princes,  go  rifling  the  house  at  their  will. 

Letter  to  Verstegan,  ap.  Stonyhurst  MSS. 

What  a  thing  is  it  for  a  Catholic  gentleman  to  have  his  house  sud- 
denly beset  on  all  sides  with  a  number  of  men  in  arms,  both  horse 
and  foot  !  and  not  only  his  house  and  gardens,  and  such  enclosed  places 
all  beset,  but  all  highways  laid,  for  some  miles  near  unto  him,  that 
none  shall  pass  but  they  shall  be  examined  !  Then  are  these  searchers 
oft-times  so  rude  and  barbarous,  that,  if  the  doors  be  not  opened  in 
the  instant  they  would  enter,  they  break  open  the  doors  with  all 
violence,  as  if  they  were  to  sack  a  town  of  enemies  won  by  the  sword. 

Father  Gerard's  MS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


AN"  EXECUTION  IN  MANCHESTER,  AT  THE  BEGINNING  OP  THE 
SEVENTEENTH  CENTURY. 

More  than  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  years  ago,  or, 
to  speak  with  greater  precision,  in  1605,  at  tlie  latter  end 
of  June,  it  was  rumored  one  morning  in  Manchester  that 
two  seminary  priests,  condemned  at  tlie  late  assizes  under 
the  severe  penal  enactments  then  in  force  against  the 
Papists,  were  about  to  suffer  death  on  that  day.     At- 

1 


2  GUY  FAWKES. 

traded  by  the  report,  large  crowds  flocked  towards  the 
place  of  execution,  which,  in  order  to  give  greater  solem- 
nity to  the  spectacle,  had  been  fixed  at  the  southern  gate 
of  the  old  Collegiate  Church,  where  a  scaif  old  was  erected 
Near  it  was  a  large  blood-stained  block,  the  use  of  which 
will  be  readily  divined,  and  adjoining  the  block,  upon  a 
heap  of  blazing  coals,  smoked  a  caldron  filled  with  boiling 
pitch,  intended  to  receive  the  quarters  of  the  miserable 
sufferers. 

The  place  was  guarded  by  a  small  band  of  soldiers, 
fully  accoutered  in  corselets  and  morions,  and  armed  with 
swords,  half-pikes,  and  calivers.  Upon  the  steps  of  the 
scaif  old  stood  the  executioner, — a  square-built,  ill-favored 
personage,  busied  in  arranging  a  bundle  of  straw  upon 
the  boards.  He  was  dressed  in  a  buff  jerkin,  and  had  a 
long-bladed,  two-edged  knife  thrust  into  his  girdle.  Be- 
sides these  persons,  there  was  a  pursuivant, — an  ofiicer 
appointed  by  the  Privy  Council  to  make  search  through- 
out the  provinces  for  recusants.  Popish  priests,  and  other 
religious  offenders.  He  was  occupied  at  this  moment  in 
reading  over  a  list  of  suspected  persons. 

Neither  the  executioner  nor  his  companions  appeared 
in  the  slightest  degree  impressed  by  the  butcherly  busi- 
ness about  to  be  enacted ;  for  the  former  whistled  care- 
lessly as  he  pursued  his  task,  while  the  latter  laughed 
and  chatted  with  the  crowd,  or  jestingly  pointed  their 
matchlocks  at  the  jackdaws  wheeling  above  them  in  the 
sunny  air,  or  perching  upon  the  pinnacles  and  tower  of 
the  neighboring  fane.  Not  so  the  majority  of  the  as- 
semblage. Most  of  the  older  and  wealthier  families  in 
Lancashire  still  continuing  to  adhere  to  the  ancient  faith 
of  their  fathers,  it  will  not  be  wondered  that  many  of 
their  dependents  should  follow  their  example.  And,  even 
of  those  who  were  adverse  to  the  creed  of  Rome,  there 
were  few  who  did  not  murmur  at  the  rigorous  system  of 
persecution  adopted  towards  its  professors. 

At  nine  o'clock,  the  hollow  rolling  of  a  muffled  drum 
was  heard  at  a  distance.    The  deep  bell  of  the  church 


EXECUTION  AT  MANCHESTER.  3 

began  to  toll,  and  presently  afterwards  the  mournful 
procession  was  seen  advancing  from  the  market-place. 
It  consisted  of  a  troop  of  mounted  soldiers,  equipped  in 
all  respects  like  those  stationed  at  the  scaffold,  with  their 
captain  at  their  head,  and  followed  by  two  of  their  number 
with  hurdles  attached  to  their  steeds,  on  which  were  tied 
the  unfortunate  victims.  Both  were  young  men — both 
apparently  prepared  to  meet  their  fate  with  firmness  and 
resignation.  They  had  been  brought  from  Radcliffe  Hall 
— an  old  moated  and  fortified  mansion  belonging  to  a 
wealthy  family  of  that  name,  situated  where  the  close, 
called  Pool  Fold,  now  stands,  and  then  recently  converted 
into  a  place  of  security  for  recusants  ;  the  two  other  pris- 
ons in  Manchester — namely,  the  New  Fleet  on  Hunt's 
Bank,  and  the  jail  on  Salford  Bridge, — not  being  found 
adequate  to  the  accommodation  of  the  numerous  religious 
offenders. 

By  this  time,  the  cavalcade  had  reached  the  place  of 
execution.  The  soldiers  drove  back  the  throng  with 
their  pikes,  and  cleared  a  space  in  front  of  the  scaffold ; 
when,  just  as  the  cords  that  bound  the  limbs  of  the  priests 
were  unfastened,  a  woman  in  a  tattered  woolen  robe,  with 
a  hood  partially  drawn  over  her  face, — the  features  of 
which,  so  far  as  they  could  be  discerned,  were  sharp  and 
attenuated, — a  rope  girded  round  her  waist,  bare  feet, 
and  having  altogether  the  appearance  of  a  Sister  of 
Charity,  sprang  forward,  and  flung  herself  on  her  knees 
beside  them. 

Clasping  the  hem  of  the  garment  of  the  nearest  priest, 
she  pressed  it  to  her  lips,  and  gazed  earnestly  at  him,  as 
if  imploring  a  blessing, 

"  You  have  your  wish,  daughter,"  said  the  priest,  ex- 
tending his  arms  over  her.  «  Heaven  and  our  lady  bless 
you ! " 

The  woman  then  turned  towards  the  other  victim,  who 
was  audibly  reciting  the  Miserere. 

"Back,  spawn  of  Antichrist!"  interposed  a  soldier, 
rudely  thrusting  her  aside.     "  Don't  you  see  you  disturb 


4  GUY  FAWKES. 

the  father's  devotions  ?  He  has  enough  to  do  to  take 
care  of  his  own  soul,  without  minding  yours." 

"  Take  this,  daugliter,"  cried  the  priest  who  had  been 
first  addressed,  offering  her  a  small  volume,  which  he 
took  from  his  vest,  "  and  fail  not  to  remember  in  your 
prayers  the  sinful  soul  of  Robert  Woodroofe,  a  brother  of 
the  order  of  Jesus." 

The  woman  put  out  her  hand  to  take  the  book ;  but 
before  it  could  be  delivered  to  her,  it  was  seized  by  the 
soldier. 

"  Your  priests  have  seldom  anything  to  leave  behind 
them,"  he  shouted,  with  a  brutal  laugh,  "except  some 
worthless  and  superstitious  relic  of  a  saint  or  martyr. 
"What's  this  ?  Ah  !  a  breviary — a  mass-book.  I've  too 
much  regard  for  your  spiritual  welfare  to  allow  you  to 
receive  it,"  he  added,  about  to  place  it  in  his  doublet. 

"  Give  it  her,"  exclaimed  a  young  man,  snatching  it 
from  him,  and  handing  it  to  the  woman,  who  disappeared 
as  soon  as  she  had  obtained  possession  of  it. 

The  soldier  eyed  the  newcomer  as  if  disposed  to  re- 
sent the  interference,  but  a  glance  at  his  apparel,  which, 
though  plain,  and  of  a  sober  hue,  was  rather  above  the 
middle  class,  as  well  as  a  murmur  from  the  crowd,  who 
were  evidently  disposed  to  take  part  with  the  young 
man,  induced  him  to  stay  his  hand.  He,  therefore,  con- 
tented himself  with  cr3ing,  "  A  recusant !  a  Papist !  " 

"  I  am  neither  recusant  nor  Papist,  knave ! "  replied 
the  other,  sternly ;  "  and  I  counsel  you  to  mend  your 
manners,  and  show  more  humanity,  or  you  shall  find  I 
have  interest  enough  to  procure  your  dismissal  from  a 
service  which  you  disgrace." 

This  reply  elicited  a  shout  of  applause  from  the  mob. 

"  Who  is  that  bold  speaker  ?  "  demanded  the  pursuivant 
from  one  of  his  attendants. 

"  Humphrey  Chetham  of  Crumpsall,"  answered  the 
man  :  "  son  to  one  of  the  wealthiest  merchants  of  the  town 
and  a  zealous  upholder  of  the  true  faith." 

"  He  has  a  strange  way  of  showing  his  zeal,"  rejoined 


EXECUTION  AT  MANCHESTER.  5 

the  pursuivant,  entering  the  answer  in  his  ncte-book. 
"And  who  is  the  woman  he  befriended?" 

"  A  half-crazed  being  called  Elizabeth  Orton,'*  replied 
the  attendant.  "  She  was  scourged  and  tortured  during 
Queen  Elizabeth's  reign  for  pretending  to  the  gift  of 
prophecy,  and  was  compelled  to  utter  her  recantation 
within  yonder  church.  Since  then  she  has  never  opened 
her  lips." 

"  Indeed,"  exclaimed  the  pursuivant :  "  I  will  engage  to 
make  her  speak,  and  to  some  purpose.  Where  does  she 
live?" 

"  In  a  cave  on  the  banks  of  the  Irwell,  near  Ordsall 
Hall,"  replied  the  attendant.  "  She  subsists  on  the  chance 
contributions  of  the  charitable  ;  but  she  solicits  nothing, — 
and,  indeed,  is  seldom  seen." 

"Her  cave  must  be  searched,"  observed  the  pursuivant; 
"  it  may  be  the  hiding-place  of  a  priest.  Father  Campion 
was  concealed  in  such  another  spot  at  Stonor  Park,  near 
Henley-on-Thames,  where  he  composed  his  '  Decern  Ra- 
tiones  ; '  and,  for  a  long  time,  eluded  the  vigilance  of  the 
commissioners.  We  shall  pass  it  in  our  way  to  Ordsall 
Hall  to-night,  shall  we  not  ?  " 

The  attendant  nodded  in  the  affirmative. 

"  If  we  surprise  Father  Oldcorne,"  continued  the  pur- 
suivant, "  and  can  prove  that  Sir  William  Radcliffe  and 
his  daughter,  both  of  whom  are  denounced  in  my  list,  are 
harborers  and  shelterers  of  recusants,  we  shall  have  done 
a  good  night's  work." 

At  this  moment,  an  officer  advanced,  and  commanded 
the  priests  to  ascend  the  scaffold. 

As  Father  Woodroofe,  who  was  the  last  to  mount, 
reached  the  uppermost  step,  he  turned  round  and  cried 
in  a  loud  voice,  "  Good  people,  I  take  you  all  to  witness 
that  I  die  m  the  true  Catholic  religion,  and  that  I  rejoice 
and  thank  God  with  all  my  soul,  that  he  hath  made  me 
worthy  to  testify  my  faith  therein  by  shedding  my  blood 
in  this  manner."  He  then  advanced  towards  the  execu- 
tioner, who  was  busied  in  adjusting  the  cord  round  his 


6  GUY  FAWKE.^. 

companion's  throat,  and  said,  "God  forgive  thee — do 
thine  office  quickly  ;  "  adding  in  a  lower  tone,  "  Asperge 
97ie,  Domine  ;  Domine^  miserere  mei  !  " 

And,  amid    the  deep  silence  that  ensued,  the   execu- 
tioner performed  his  horrible  task. 

The  execution  over,  the  crowd  began  to  separate  slowly, 
and  various  opinions  were  expressed  respecting  the  revolt- 
ing and  sanguinary  spectacle  just  witnessed.  Many,  who 
condemned — and  the  majority  did  so — the  extreme 
severity  of  the  laws  by  which  the  unfortunate  priests  had 
just  suffered,  uttered  their  sentiments  with  extreme  cau- 
tion ;  but  there  were  some  whose  feelings  had  been  too 
much  excited  for  prudence,  and  who  inveighed  loudly 
and  bitterly  against  the  sj^irit  of  religious  persecution 
then  prevailing ;  while  a  few  others  of  an  entirely  op- 
posite persuasion  looked  upon  the  rigorous  proceedings 
adopted  against  the  Papists,  and  the  punishment  now 
inflicted  upon  their  priesthood,  as  a  just  retribution  for 
their  own  severities  during  the  reign  of  Mary.  In  general, 
the  common  people  entertained  a  strong  prejudice  against 
the  Catholic  party, — for,  as  it  has  been  shrewdly  observed, 
"  they  must  have  some  object  to  hate ;  heretofore  it  was 
the  Welsh,  the  Scots,  or  the  Spaniards,  but  now  in  these 
latter  times  only  the  Papists  ;  "  but  in  Manchester,  near 
which,  as  has  been  already  stated,  so  many  old  and 
important  families,  professing  that  religion,  resided,  the 
case  was  widely  different ;  and  the  mass  of  the  inhabitants 
were  favorably  inclined  towards  them.  It  was  the  knowl- 
edge of  this  feeling  that  induced  the  commissioners, 
appointed  to  superintend  the  execution  of  the  enactments 
against  recusants,  to  proceed  with  unusual  rigor  in  this 
neighborhood. 

The  state  of  the  Roman  Catholic  party  at  the  period 
of  this  history  was  indeed  most  grievous.  The  hopes 
they  had  indulged  of  greater  toleration  on  the  accession 
of  James  the  First,  had  been  entirely  destroyed.  The 
persecutions,  suspended  during  the  first  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  new  monarch,  wei^   now  renewed  with   greater 


EXECUTION  AT  MANCHESTER.  f 

severity  than  ever ;  and  though  their  present  condition 
was  deplorable  enough,  it  was  feared  that  worse  remained 
in  store  for  them.  "  They  bethought  themselves,"  writes 
Bishop  Goodman,  "  that  now  their  case  was  far  worse 
than  in  the  time  of  Queen  Elizabeth ;  for  they  did  live  in 
some  hope  that  after  the  old  woman's  life,  they  might 
have  some  mitigation,  and  even  those  who  did  then 
persecute  them  were  a  little  more  moderate,  as  being 
doubtful  what  times  might  succeed,  and  fearing  their. 
own  case.  But,  now  that  they  saw  the  times  settled, 
having  no  hope  of  better  days,  but  expecting  that  the 
uttermost  rigor  of  the  law  should  be  executed,  they 
became  desperate :  finding  that  by  the  laws  of  the  king- 
dom their  own  lives  were  not  secured,  and  for  the  carry- 
ing over  of  a  priest  into  England  it  was  no  less  than  high 
treason.  A  gentlewoman  was  hanged  only  for  relieving 
and  harboring  a  priest ;  a  citizen  was  hanged  only  for  be- 
ing reconciled  to  the  Church  of  Rome  ;  besides,  the  penal 
laws  were  such,  and  so  executed,  that  they  could  not 
subsist.  What  was  usually  sold  in  shops  and  usually 
bouglit,  this  the  pursuivant  would  take  away  from  them 
as  being  Popish  and  superstitious.  One  knight  did 
affirm  that  in  one  term  he  gave  twenty  nobles  in  rewards 
to  the  doorkeeper  of  the  Attorney- General ;  another  did 
affirm,  that  his  third  part  which  remained  unto  him  of 
his  estate  did  hardly  serve  for  his  expense  in  law  to 
defend  him  from  other  oppressions  ;  besides  their  children 
to  be  taken  from  home,  to  be  brought  up  in  another  re- 
ligion. So  they  did  every  way  conclude  that  their  estate 
was  desperate  ;  they  could  die  but  once,  and  their  religion 
was  more  precious  unto  them  than  their  lives.  They  did 
further  consider  their  misery ;  how  they  were  debarred 
in  any  course  of  life  to  help  themselves.  They  could  not 
practise  law, — they  could  not  be  citizens, — they  could 
have  no  office ;  they  could  not  breed  up  their  sons — none 
did  desire  to  match  with  them ;  they  had  neither  fit 
marriages  for  their  daughters,  nor  nunneries  to  put  them 
into  J  for     those   few   which  are   beyond   seas   are   not 


8  GUY  FAWKES. 

considerable  in  respect  of  the  number  of  recusants,  and 
none  can  be  admitted  into  them  without  great  sums  of 
money,  which  they,  being  exhausted,  could  not  supply. 
The  Spiritual  Court  did  not  cease  to  molest  them,  to  ex- 
communicate them,  then  to  imprison  them  ;  and  thereby 
they  were  utterly  disenabled  to  sue  for  their  own."  Such 
is  a  faithful  picture  of  the  state  of  the  Catholic  party  at 
the  commencement  of  the  reign  of  James  the  First. 

Pressed  down  by  these  intolerable  grievances,  is  it  to 
be  wondered  at  that  the  Papists  should  repine, — or  that 
some  among  their  number,  when  all  other  means  failed, 
should  seek  redress  by  darker  measures  ?  By  a  statute  of 
Elizabeth,  all  who  refused  to  conform  to  the  established 
religion  were  subjected  to  a  fine  of  twenty  pounds  a  lunar 
month  ;  and  this  heavy  penalty,  remitted,  or  rather  sus- 
pended, on  the  accession  of  the  new  sovereign,  was  again 
exacted,  and  all  arrears  claimed.  Added  to  this,  James, 
whose  court  was  thronged  by  a  host  of  needy  Scottish 
retainers,  assigned  to  them  a  certain  number  of  wealthy 
recusants,  and  empowered  them  to  levy  the  fines — a 
privilege  of  which  they  were  not  slow  to  avail  themselves. 
There  were  other  pains  and  penalties  provided  for  by  the 
same  statute,  which  were  rigorously  inflicted.  To  with- 
draw, or  seek  to  withdraw  another  from  the  established 
religion  was  accounted  high  treason,  and  punished  ac- 
cordingly ;  to  hear  mass  involved  a  penalty  of  one  hun- 
dred marks  and  a  year's  imprisonment ;  and  to  harbor 
a  priest,  under  the  denomination  of  a  tutor,  rendered  the 
latter  liable  to  a  year's  imprisonment,  and  his  employer 
to  a  fine  of  ten  pounds  a-month.  Impressed  with  the 
belief  that,  in  consequence  of  the  unremitting  persecutions 
which  the  Catholics  underwent  in  Elizabeth's  time,  the 
religion  would  be  wholly  extirpated.  Doctor  Allen,  a 
Lancashire  divine,  who  afterwards  received  a  cardinal's 
hat,  founded  a  college  at  Douay,  for  the  reception  and 
education  of  those  intending  to  take  orders.  From  this 
university  a  number  of  missionary  priests,  or  seminarists, 
as  they  were  termed,  were  annually  sent  over  to  England  j 


EXECUTION  AT  MANCHESTER.  9 

and  it  was  against  these  persons,  who  submitted  to  every 
hardship  and  privation,  to  danger,  and  death  itself,  for  the 
welfare  of  their  religion,  and  in  the  hope  of  propagating 
its  doctrines,  that  the  utmost  rigor  of  the  penal  enact- 
ments was  directed.  Among  the  number  of  seminarists 
despatched  from  D  3uay,  and  capitally  convicted  under  the 
statute  above-mentioned,  were  the  two  priests  whose  exe- 
cution has  just  been  narrated. 

As  a  portion  of  the  crowd  passed  over  the  old  bridge 
across  the  Irwell  connecting  Manchester  with  Salford, 
on  which  stood  an  ancient  chapel  erected  by  Thomas  de 
Booth,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Third,  and  recently 
converted  into  a  prison  for  recusants,  they  perceived  the 
prophetess,  Elizabeth  Orton,  seated  upon  the  stone  steps 
of  the  desecrated  structure,  earnestly  perusing  the  missal 
given  her  by  Father  Woodroofe.  A  mob  speedily  col- 
lected round  her ;  but,  unconscious  seemingly  of  their 
presence,  the  poor  woman  turned  over  leaf  after  leaf,  and 
pursued  her  studies.  He.r  hood  was  thrown  back,  and 
discovered  her  bare  and  withered  neck,  over  which  her 
disheveled  hair  streamed  in  long  sable  elf-locks.  Irrita- 
ted by  her  indifference,  several  of  the  bystanders,  who 
had  questioned  her  as  to  the  nature  of  her  studies,  began 
to  mock  and  jeer  her,  mid  endeavored,  by  plucking  her 
robe,  and  casting  little  pebbles  at  her,  to  attract  her 
attention.  Roused  at  length  by  these  annoyances,  she 
arose  ;  and  fixing  her  large  black  eyes  menacingly  upon 
them,  was  about  to  stalk  away,  when  they  surrounded 
and  detained  her. 

"  Speak  to  us,  Bess,"  cried  several  voices.  "  Prophesy 
— prophesy." 

♦'  I  will  speak  to  you,"  replied  the  poor  woman,  shaking 
her  hand  at  them,  "  I  will  prophesy  to  you.  And  mark 
me,  though  ye  believe  not,  my  words  shall  not  fall  to  the 
ground." 

"  A  miracle !  a  miracle ! "  shouted  the  bystanders. 
"  Bess  Orton,  who  has  been  silent  for  twenty  years,  has 
found  her  tongue  at  last." 


10  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  I  have  seen  a  vision,  and  dreamed  a  dream,"  continued 
the  prophetess.  "  As  I  lay  in  my  cell  last  night,  meditat- 
ing upon  the  forlorn  state  of  our  religion,  and  of  its  pro- 
fessors, methought  nineteen  shadowy  figures  stood  before 
me — ay,  nineteen — for  I  counted  them  thrice — and  when 
I  questioned  them  as  to  their  coming, — for  my  tongue  at 
first  clove  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth,  and  my  lips  refused 
their  office,  —one  of  them  answered,  in  a  voice  which  yet 
rings  in  my  <?:ars,  '  We  are  the  chosen  deliverers  of  our 
fallen  and  povsecuted  church.  To  us  is  intrusted  the  re- 
building of  h'^.T  temples, — to  our  hands  is  committed  the 
destruction  ef  our  enemies.  The  work  will  be  done  in 
darkness  and  in  secret, — with  toil  and  travail, — but  it 
will  at  length  be  made  manifest ;  and  when  the  hour  is 
arrived,  our  vc*ngeance  will  be  terrible  and  exterminating.' 
With  these  words,  they  vanished  from  my  sight.  Ah  !  " 
she  exclaimed,  suddenly  starting,  and  passing  her  hand 
across  her  brow,  as  if  to  clear  her  sight,  "it  was  no 
dream — no  vision.     I  see  one  of  them  now." 

"  Where  ?  where  ?  "  cried  several  voices. 

The  prophetess  answered  by  extending  her  skinny  arm 
towards  some  object  immediately  before  her. 

All  eyes  were  instantly  turned  in  the  same  direction, 
when  they  beheld  a  Spanish  soldier — for  such  his  garb 
proclaimed  him — standing  at  a  few  paces'  distance  from 
them,  lie  was  wrapped  in  an  ample  cloak,  with  a  broad- 
leaved  steeple-crowned  hat,  decorated  with  a  single, 
green  feather,  pulled  over  his  brows,  and  w^ore  a  polished- 
steel  brigandine,  trunk  hose,  and  buff  boots  drawn  up  to 
the  knees.  His  arms  consisted  of  a  brace  of  petronels 
thrust  into  liis  belt,  whence  a  long  rapier  depended.  His 
features  were  dark  as  bronze,  and  well-formed,  though 
strongly  marked,  and  had  an  expression  of  settled  stern- 
ness. His  eyes  were  gray  and  penetrating,  and  shaded 
by  thick  beetle-brows ;  and  his  physiognomy  was  com- 
pleted by  a  black  peaked  beard.  His  person  was  tall  and 
erect,  and  his  deportment  soldier-like  and  commanding. 
Perceiving  he  had  become  an  object  of  notice,  the  stranger 


EXECUTION  AT  MANCHESTER.  11 

cast  a  compassionate  look  at  the  prophetess,  who  still 
remained  gazing  fixedly  at  him,  and  throwing  her  a  few 
pieces  of  money,  strode  away. 

Watching  his  retreating  figure  till  it  disappeared  from 
vieAV,  the  crazed  woman  tossed  her  arms  wildly  in  the  air, 
and  cried,  in  a  voice  of  exultation,  "  Did  I  not  speak  the 
truth  ? — did  I  not  tell  you  I  had  seen  him  ?  He  is  the 
deliverer  of  our  church,  and  is  come  to  avenge  the 
righteous  blood  which  hath  been  this  day  shed." 

"  Peace,  woman,  and  fly  while  there  is  yet  time,"  cried 
the  young  man  who  had  been  designated  as  Humphrey 
Chetham.  "  The  pursuivant  and  his  myrmidons  are  in 
search  of  you." 

"  Then  they  need  not  go  far  to  find  me,"  replied  the 
prophetess.  "  I  will  tell  them  what  I  told  these  people, 
that  the  day  of  bloody  retribution  is  at  hand, — that  the 
avenger  is  arrived.  I  have  seen  him  twice, — once  in  my 
cave,  and  once  again  here, — even  where  you  stand." 

"  If  you  do  not  keep  silence  and  fly,  my  poor  creature," 
rejoined  Humphrey  Chetham,  "you  will  have  to  endure 
what  you  suffered  years  ago, — stripes,  and  perhaps  tor- 
ture. Be  warned  by  me — ah  1  it  is  too  late.  He  is  ap- 
proaching." 

"Let  him  come,"  replied  Elizabeth  Orton,  "I  am  ready 
for  him." 

"  Can  none  of  you  force  her  away  ?  "  cried  Plumphrey 
Chetham,  appealing  to  the  crowd ;  "  I  will  reward  you." 

"  I  will  not  stir  from  this  spot,"  rejoined  the  prophetess, 
obstinately  ;  "  I  will  testify  to  the  truth." 

The  kind-hearted  young  merchant,  finding  any  further 
attempt  to  preserve  her  fruitless,  drew  aside. 

By  this  time,  the  pursuivant  and  his  attendants  had 
come  up.  "  Seize  her  !  "  cried  the  former,  "  and  let  her 
be  placed  within  this  prison  till  I  have  reported  her  to 
the  commissioners.  If  you  will  confess  to  me,  woman," 
he  added  in  a  whisper  to  her,  "  that  you  have  harbored 
a  priest,  and  will  guide  us  to  his  hiding-place,  you  shall 
be  set  free," 


1^  GUY  FAWICES. 

"  I  know  of  no  priest  but  those  you  have  murdered,'' 
returned  the  prophetess,  in  a  loud  voice,  "  but  I  will  tell 
you  something  that  you  wot  not  of.  The  avenger  of 
blood  is  at  hand.  I  have  seen  him.  All  here  have  seen 
him.     And  you  shall  see  him — but  not  now — not  now." 

"  What  is  the  meaning  of  this  raving  ?  "  demanded  the 
pursuivant. 

"  Pay  no  heed  to  her  talk,"  interposed  Humphrey 
Chetham ;  "  she  is  a  poor  crazed  being,  who  knows  not 
what  she  says.  I  will  be  surety  for  her  inoffensive  con- 
duct." 

"  You  must  give  me  surety  for  yourself,  sir,"  replied 
the  pursuivant.  "I  have  just  learnt  that  you  were  last 
night  at  Ordsall  Hall,  the  seat  of  that '  dangerous  tempo- 
rizer,'— for  so  he  is  designated  in  my  warrant, — Sir  Wil- 
liam Radcliffe.  And  if  report  speaks  truly,  you  are  not 
altogether  insensible  to  the  charms  of  his  fair  daughter, 
Viviana." 

"What  is  this  to  thee,  thou  malapert  knave?"  cried 
Humphrey  Chetham,  reddening,  partly  from  anger, 
partly,  it  might  be,  from  another  emotion. 

"  Much,  as  you  shall  presently  find,  good  Master  Wolf-in 
sheep's-clothing,"  retorted  the  pursuivant ;  "  if  you  prove 
not  a  rank  Papist  at  heart,  then  do  I  not  know  a  true  man 
from  a  false." 

This  angry  conference  was  cut  short  by  a  piercing 
scream  from  the  prophetess.  Breaking  from  the  grasp  of 
her  captors,  who  were  about  to  force  her  into  the  prison, 
she  sprang  with  a  single  bound  upon  the  parapet  of  the 
bridge ;  and  utterly  regardless  of  her  dangerous  position, 
turned,  and  faced  the  soldiers,  who  were  struck  mute 
with  astonishment. 

"  Tremble  ! "  she  cried,  in  a  loud  voice, — "  tremble,  ye 
evil-doers  !  Ye  who  have  despoiled  the  house  of  God, — 
have  broken  his  altars, — scattered  his  incense, — slain  his 
priests.  Tremble,  I  say.  Tlie  avenger  is  arrived.  The 
bolt  is  in  his  hand.  It  shall  strike  king,  lords,  commons, 
— all !     These  are  my  last  words, — take  them  to  heart." 


EXECUTION  AT  MANCHESTER.  13 

"  Drag  her  off !  "  roared  the  pursuivant,  furiously. 

"Use  care — use  gentleness,  if  ye  are  menl"  cried 
Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  Think  not  you  can  detain  me  !  "  cried  the  prophetess. 
"  Avaunt,  and  tremble  1 " 

So  saying  she  flung  herself  from  the  parapet. 

The  height  from  which  she  fell  was  about  fifty  feet. 
Dashed  into  the  air  like  jets  from  a  fountain  by  the 
weight  and  force  of  the  descending  body,  the  water  in- 
stantly closed  over  her.  But  she  rose  to  the  surface  of 
the  stream,  about  twenty  yards  below  the  bridge. 

"  She  may  yet  be  saved,"  cried  Humphrey  Chetham, 
who  with  the  bystanders  had  hurried  to  the  side  of  the 
bridge. 

«  You  will  only  preserve  her  for  the  gallows,"  observed 
the  pursuivant. 

"Your  malice  shall  not  prevent  my  making  the 
attempt,"  replied  the  young  merchant.  "  Ha  !  assistance 
is  at  hand." 

The  exclamation  was  occasioned  by  the  sudden  appear- 
ance of  the  soldier  in  the  Spanish  dress,  who  rushed  to- 
wards the  left  bank  of  the  river,  which  was  here,  as  else- 
where, formed  of  red  sandstone  rock,  and  following  the 
course  of  the  current,  awaited  the  next  appearance  of  the 
drowning  woman.  It  did  not  occur  till  she  had  been 
carried  a  considerable  distance  down  the  stream,  when 
the  soldier,  swiftly  divesting  himself  of  his  cloak,  plunged 
into  the  water,  and  dragged  her  ashore. 

"  Follow  me,"  cried  the  pursuivant  to  his  attendants. 
« I  will  not  lose  my  prey." 

But  before  he  gained  the  bank  of  the  river,  the  soldier 
and  his  charge  had  disappeared,  nor  could  he  detect  any 
traces  of  them. 


II  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  II. 

OEDSALL   CAVE. 

After  rescuing  the  unfortunate  prophetess  from  a 
watery  grave  in  the  manner  just  related,  the  soldier 
snatched  up  his  cloak,  and,  taking  his  dripping  burthen  in 
his  arms,  hurried  swiftly  along  the  bank  of  the  river, 
until  he  came  to  a  large  cleft  in  the  rock,  into  which  he 
crept,  taking  the  prophetess  with  him,  and  thus  eluded 
observation.  In  this  retreat  he  continued  upwards  of  two 
hours,  during  which  time  the  poor  creature,  to  whom  he 
paid  every  attention  that  circumstances  would  admit,  had 
so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  speak.  But  it  was  evi- 
dent that  the  shock  had  been  too  much  for  her,  and  that 
she  was  sinking  fast.  She  was  so  faint  that  she  could 
scarcely  move  ;  but  she  expressed  a  strong  desire  to  reach 
her  cell  before  she  breathed  her  last.  Having  described 
its  situation  as  accurately  as  she  could  to  the  soldier — 
who  before  he  ventured  forth  peeped  out  to  reconnoiter 
— he  again  raised  her  in  his  arms,  and  by  her  direction 
struck  into  a  narrow  lane  skirting  the  bank  of  the  river. 

Pursuing  this  road  for  about  half  a  mile,  he  arrived  at 
the  foot  of  a  small  knoll,  covered  by  a  clump  of  magnifi- 
cent beech-trees,  and  still  acting  under  the  guidance  of 
the  dying  woman,  whose  voice  grew  more  feeble  each  in- 
stant, he  mounted  it,  and  from  its  summit  took  a  rapid 
survey  of  the  surrounding  country.  On  the  opposite 
bank  of  the  river  stood  an  old  hall,  while  further  on,  at 
some  distance,  he  could  perceive  through  the  trees  the 
gables  and  chimneys  of  another  ancient  mansion. 

«  Raise  me  up,"  said  Elizabeth  Orton,  as  he  lingered  on 
this  spot  for  a  moment.  "  In  that  old  house,  which  you 
see  yonder,  Hulme  Ilall,  I  was  born.  I  would  willingly 
take  one  look  at  it  before  I  die." 


Guy  Fawkes  gave  the  woman  the  crucifix  and  she  clasped  it  to  her 
breast.     Page  15.  Guy  Fawkes 


ORDSALL  CAVE.  15 

«  And  the  other  hall,  which  I  discern  through  the  trees, 
is  Ordsall,  is  it  not  ?  "  inquired  the  soldier. 

"  It  is,"  replied  the  prophetess.  "  And  now  let  us  make 
what  haste  we  can.  We  have  not  far  to  go  ;  and  I  feel  I 
shall  not  last  long." 

Descending  the  eminence,  and  again  entering  the  lane, 
which  here  made  a  turn,  the  soldier  approached  a  grassy 
space,  walled  in  on  either  side  by  steep  sandstone  rocks. 
At  the  further  extremity  of  the  enclosure,  after  a  mo- 
ment's search,  by  the  direction  of  his  companion,  he  found, 
artfully  concealed  by  overhanging  brushwood,  the  mouth 
of  a  small  cave.  He  crept  into  the  excavation,  and  found 
it  about  six  feet  high,  and  of  considerable  depth.  The 
roof  was  ornamented  with  Runic  characters  and  other 
grotesque  and  half-effaced  inscriptions,  while  the  sides 
were  embellished  with  Gothic  tracery,  amid  which  the 
letters  I.H.S.,  carved  in  ancient  church  text,  could  be 
easily  distinguished.  Tradition  assigned  the  cell  to  the 
priests  of  Odin,  but  it  was  evident  that  worshipers  at 
other  and  holier  altars  had  more  recently  made  it  their 
retreat.  Its  present  occupant  had  furnished  it  with  a 
straw  pallet,  and  a  small  wooden  crucifix  fixed  in  a  recess 
in  the  wall.  Gently  depositing  her  upon  the  pallet,  the 
soldier  took  a  seat  beside  her  on  a  stone  slab  at  the  foot 
of  the  bed.  He  next,  at  her  request,  as  the  cave  was  ren- 
dered almost  wholly  dark  by  the  overhanging  trees,  struck 
a  light,  and  set  fire  to  a  candle  placed  within  a  lantern. 

After  a  few  moments  passed  in  prayer,  the  recluse 
begged  him  to  give  her  the  crucifix  that  she  might  clasp 
it  to  her  breast.  This  done,  she  became  more  composed, 
and  prepared  to  meet  her  end.  Suddenly,  as  if  some- 
thing had  again  disturbed  her,  she  opened  wide  her  glaz- 
ing eyes,  and  starting  up  with  a  dying  effort,  stretched 
out  her  hands. 

"  I  see  him  before  them  !  "  she  cried.  "  They  examine 
him — they  adjudge  him !  All !  he  is  now  in  a  dungeon  ! 
See,  the  torturers  advance  !  He  is  placed  on  the  rack — 
once — twice — thrice — they  turn  the  levers  !    His  joints 


16  GUY  FAWKES. 

snap  in  their  sockets — his  sinews  crack  1  Mercy !  he 
confesses !  He  is  led  to  execution.  I  see  him  ascend  the 
scaffold ! " 

"  Whom  do  you  behold  ?  "  inquired  the  soldier,  listen- 
ing to  her  in  astonishment. 

"  His  face  is  hidden  from  me,"  replied  the  prophetess ; 
"  but  his  figure  is  not  unlike  your  own.  Ha !  I  hear  the 
executioner  pronounce  his  name.     How  are  you  called  ?  " 

"  Guy  Fawkes,"  rei)lied  the  soldier. 

« It  is  the  name  I  heard,"  rejoined  Elizabeth  Orton. 

And,  sinking  backward,  she  expired. 

Guy  Fawkes  gazed  at  her  for  some  time,  till  he  felt 
assured  that  the  last  spark  of  life  had  fled.  He  then 
turned  away,  and  placing  his  hand  upon  his  chin,  became 
lost  in  deep  reflection. 


OHDSALL  HALL.  1^ 


CHAPTER  III. 

OEDSALL  HALL. 

Soon-  after  sunset,  on  the  evening  of  the  events  pre- 
viously related,  the  inmates  of  Ordsall  Hall  were  disturbed 
and  alarmed  (for  in  those  times  of  trouble  any  casual  dis- 
turbance at  night  was  sufficient  to  occasion  alarm  to  a 
Catholic  family)  by  a  loud  clamor  for  admittance  from 
some  one  stationed  at  the  farther  side  of  the  moat,  then, 
as  now,  surrounding  that  ancient  manorial  residence.  The 
drawbridge  being  raised,  no  apprehension  was  entertained 
of  an  attempt  at  forcible  entrance  on  the  part  of  the  in- 
truder, who,  so  far  as  he  could  be  discerned  in  the  deep- 
ening twilight,  rendered  yet  more  obscure  by  the  shade 
of  the  trees  under  which  he  stood,  appeared  to  be  a  soli- 
tary horseman.  Still,  for  fear  of  a  surprise,  it  was  judged 
prudent  by  those  inside  the  hall  to  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  the 
summons ;  nor  was  it  until  it  had  been  more  than  once  re- 
peated in  a  peremptory  tone,  that  any  attention  was  paid 
to  it.  The  outer  gate  was  then  cautiously  opened  by  an 
old  steward,  and  a  couple  of  serving-men,  armed  with 
pikes  and  swords,  who  demanded  the  stranger's  business, 
and  were  answered  that  he  desired  to  speak  with  Sir  Wil- 
liam Radcliffe.  The  steward  rejoined  that  his  master 
was  not  at  home,  having  set  out  the  day  before  for 
Chester  :  but  that  even  if  he  were,  he  would  take  upon  him- 
self to  affirm  that  no  audience  Avould  be  given,  on  any  pre- 
tense whatever,  to  a  stranger  at  such  an  unreasonable  hour. 
To  this  the  other  replied,  in  a  haughty  and  commanding 
voice,  that  he  was  neither  a  stranger  to  Sir  William  Rad- 
cliffe, nor  ignorant  of  the  necessity  of  caution,  though  in 
this  instance  it  was  altogether  superfluous  ;  and  as,  not- 
withstanding the  steward's  assertion  to  the  contrary,  he 
was  fully  persuaded  his  master  z^as  at  home,  he  insisted 


18  GUY  FAWKES. 

upon  being  conducted  to  him  without  further  parley,  as 
his  business  would  not  brook  delay.  In  vain  the  steward 
declared  he  had  spoken  the  truth.  The  stranger  evi- 
dently disbelieved  him  ;  but,  as  he  could  obtain  no  more 
satisfactory  answer  to  his  interrogations,  he  suddenly 
shifted  his  ground,  and  inquired  whether  Sir  William's 
daughter,  Mistress  Viviana,  was  likewise  absent  from 
home. 

"  Before  I  reply  to  the  question,  I  must  know  by  whom 
and  wherefore  it  is  put '?  "  returned  the  steward,  evasively. 

"  Trouble  not  yourself  further,  friend,  but  deliver  this 
letter  to  her,"  rejoined  the  horseman,  flinging  a  packet 
across  the  moat.  "  It  is  addressed  to  her  father,  but  there 
is  no  reason  why  she  should  not  be  acquainted  with  its 
contents." 

"  Take  it  up,  Olin  Birtwissel,"  cried  the  steward,  eye- 
ing the  packet  which  had  fallen  at  his  feet  suspiciously  ; 
"take  it  up,  I  say,  and  hold  it  to  the  light,  that,  I  may 
consider  it  well  before  I  carry  it  to  our  young  mistress. 
I  have  heard  of  strange  treacheries  practised  by  such 
means,  and  care  not  to  meddle  with  it." 

"  Neither  do  I,  good  Muster  Heydocke,"  replied  Birt- 
wissel. "I  would  not  touch  it  for  a  twelvemonth's 
wages.  It  may  burst,  and  spoil  my  good  looks,  and  so 
ruin  my  fortunes  with  the  damsels.  But  here  is  Jeff 
Gellibronde,  who,  having  no  beauty  to  lose,  and  being, 
moreover,  afraid  of  nothing,  will  pick  it  up  for  you." 

"  Speak  for  yourself,  Olin,"  rejoined  Gellibronde,  in  a 
surly  tone.  "  I  have  no  more  fancy  for  a  shattered  limb, 
or  a  scorched  face,  than  my  neighbors." 

"Dolts !  "  cried  the  stranger,  who  had  listened  to  these 
observations  with  angry  impatience,  "if  you  will  not 
convey  my  packet,  which  has  nothing  more  dangerous 
about  it  than  an  ordinary  letter,  to  your  mistress,  at  least 
acquaint  her  that  Mr.  Robert  Catesby,  of  Ashby  St. 
Legers,  is  without,  and  craves  an  instant  speech  with 
her." 

"  Mr.  Catesby  !  "  exclaimed  the  steward,  in  astonish- 


ORDSALL  HALL.  19 

ment.  "  If  it  be  indeed  your  worship,  why  did  you  not 
declare  yourself  at  once  ?  " 

"  I  may  have  as  good  reason  for  caution  as  yourself, 
Master  Heydocke,"  returned  Catesby,  laughing. 

"  True,"  rejoined  the  steward ;  "  but,  methinks  it  is 
somewhat  strange  to  find  your  worship  here,  when  I  am 
aware  that  my  master  expected  to  meet  you,  and  certain 
other  honorable  gentlemen  that  you  wot  of,  at  a  place  in 
a  clean  opposite  direction,  Holywell,  in  Flintshire." 

"The  cause  of  my  presence,  since  you  desire  to  be 
certified  of  the  matter,  is  simply  this,"  replied  Catesby, 
urging  his  steed  towards  the  edge  of  the  moat,  while  the 
steward  advanced  to  meet  him  on  the  opposite  bank,  so 
that  a  few  yards  only  lay  between  them  ;  "  I  came  round 
by  Manchester,"  he  continued,  in  a  lower  tone,  "  to  see 
if  any  assistance  could  be  rendered  to  the  unfortunate 
fathers  Woodroofe  and  Forshawe :  but  found  on  mv 
arrival  this  morning  that  I  was  too  late,  as  they  had  just 
been  executed." 

"  Heaven  have  mercy  on  their  souls !  "  ejaculated  Hey- 
docke, shuddering,  and  crossing  himself,  "  Yours  was  a 
pious  mission,  Mr.  Catesby.  Would  it  had  been  avail- 
ing ! " 

"  I  would  so,  too,  with  all  my  soul !  "  rejoined  the  other, 
fervently  ;  "  but  fate  ordained  it  otherwise.  While  I  was 
in  the  town,  I  accidentally  learnt  from  one,  who  informed 
me  he  had  just  parted  with  him,  that  your  master  was  at 
home ;  and,  fearing  he  might  not  be  able  to  attend  the 
meeting  at  Holywell,  I  resolved  to  proceed  hither  at 
nightfall,  when  my  visit  was  not  likely  to  be  observed ; 
having  motives,  which  you  may  readily  conjecture,  for 
preserving  the  strictest  secrecy  on  the  occasion.  The 
letter  was  prepared  in  case  I  should  fail  in  meeting  with 
him.  And  now  that  I  have  satisfied  your  scruples,  good 
master  steward,  if  Sir  William  be  really  vrithiu,  I  pray 
you  lead  me  to  him  forthwith.  If  not,  your  young  mis- 
tress may  serve  my  turn,  for  I  have  that  to  say  which  it 
imports  one  or  other  of  them  to  know." 


20  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  In  rep^ard  to  my  master,-'  replied  the  steward,  « he 
departed  yesterday  for  Chester,  on  his  way  to  join  the 
pilgrimage  to  St.  "Winifred's  Well,  as  I  have  already 
assured  your  worship.  And  whoever  informed  you  to 
the  contrary,  spoke  falsely.  But  I  will  convey  your 
letter  and  message  to  my  young  mistress,  and  on  learning 
her  pleasure  as  to  receiving  j'ou,  Avill  instantly  return 
and  report  it.  These  are  dangerous  times,  your  worship  ; 
dangerous  times.  A  good  Catholic  knows  not  whom  to 
trust,  there  are  so  many  spoilers  abroad." 

"  How,  sirrah  !  "  cried  Catesby,  angrily,  «  do  you  apply 
that  observation  to  me?" 

"  Far  be  it  from  me,"  answered  Ileydocke,  respectfully, 
"  to  apply  any  observation  that  may  sound  offensive  to 
your  worship,  whom  I  know  to  be  a  most  worthy  gentle- 
man, and  as  free  from  heresy,  as  any  in  the  kingdom.  I 
was  merely  endeavoring  to  account  for  what  may  appear 
my  over-caution  in  detaining  you  where  you  are,  till  I 
learn  my  lady's  pleasure.  It  is  a  rule  in  this  house  not 
to  lower  the  drawbridge  without  orders  after  sunset ; 
and  I  dare  not,  for  my  place,  disobey  it.  Young  Mr. 
Humphrey  Chetham,  of  Crumpsall,  was  detained  in  the 
like  manner  no  later  than  last  night;  and  he  is  a  visitor," 
he  added,  in  a  significant  tone,  "  who  is  not  altogether 
unwelcome  to  my  mistress — ahem !  But  duty  is  no 
respecter  of  persons ;  and  in  my  master's  absence  my 
duty  is  to  protect  his  household.  Your  worship  will 
pardon  me." 

"I  will  pardon  anything  but  your  loquacity  and 
tediousness,"  rejoined  Catesby,  impatiently.  "  About 
your  errand  quickly." 

"I  am  gone,  your  worship,"  returned  the  steward,  dis- 
appearing v.ith  his  companions. 

Throwing  the  bridle  over  his  horse's  neck,  and  allow- 
ing him  to  drink  his  till  from  the  water  of  the  moat,  and 
afterwards  to  pluck  a  few  mouthfuls  of  the  long  grass 
that  fringed  its  brink,  Catesby  abandoned  himself  to  re- 
flection.   In  a   few   moments,  as   the   steward   did  not 


ORDSALL  HALL,  21 

return,  he  raised  his  eyes,  and  fixed  them  upon  the  an- 
cient habitation  before  him, — ancient,  indeed,  it  was  not 
at  this  time,  having  been  in  a  great  measure  rebuilt  by 
its  possessor,  Sir  William  Radcliffe,  during  the  latter 
part  of  the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  in  the  rich  and  pic- 
turesque style  of  that  period.  Little  could  be  dis- 
tinguished of  its  projecting  and  retiring  wings,  its  walls 
decorated  with  black  and  white  checker- work,  the  char- 
acteristic of  the  class  of  architecture  to  which  it  be- 
longed, or  of  its  magnificent  embayed  windows  filled  with 
stained  glass  ;  but  the  outline  of  its  heavy  roof,  with  its 
numerous  gables,  and  groups  of  tall  and  elaborately- 
ornamented  chimneys,  might  be  distinctly  traced  in 
strong  relief  against  the  warm  and  still-glowing  western 
sky. 

Though  nmch  gone  to  decay,  grievously  neglected,  and 
divided  into  three  separate  dwelling-houses,  Ordsall  Hall 
still  retains  much  of  its  original  character  and  beauty  ; 
and  viewed  at  the  magic  hour  above  described,  when  the 
changes  produced  by  the  lapse  of  years  cannot  be  detected, 
it  presents  much  the  same  striking  appearance  that  it 
offered  to  the  gaze  of  Catesby.  Situated  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  Irwell,  which  supplies  the  moat  with  a  con- 
stant stream  of  fresh  water,  it  commands  on  the  south- 
west a  beautiful  view  of  the  winding  course  of  the  river, 
here  almost  forming  an  island,  of  Trafford  Park  and  its 
hall,  of  the  woody  uplands  beyond  it,  and  of  the  distant 
hills  of  Cheshire.  The  mansion  itself  is  an  irregular 
quadrangle,  covering  a  considerable  tract  of  ground. 
The  gardens,  once  exquisitely  laid  out  in  the  formal  taste 
of  Elizabeth's  days,  are  also  enclosed  by  the  moat,  sur- 
rounding (except  in  the  intervals  where  it  is  filled  up)  a 
space  of  some  acres  in  extent.  At  the  period  of  this  his- 
tory, it  was  approached  on  the  northeast  by  a  noble 
avenue  of  sycamores,  leading  to  within  a  short  distance 
of  its  gates. 

As  Catesby  surveyed  this  stately  structure,  and  pon- 
dered upon  the  wealth  and  power  of  its  owner,  his  medu 


22  GUY  FAWKES. 

tations  thus  found  vent  in  words  : — "  If  I  could  but  link 
Radcliffe  to  our  cause,  or  win  the  hand  of  his  fair  daugh- 
ter, and  so  bind  him  to  me,  the  great  attempt  could  not 
fail.  She  has  refused  me  once.  No  matter.  I  will  per- 
severe till  she  yields.  With  Father  Oldcorne  to  back 
my  suit,  I  am  assured  of  success.  She  is  necessary  to 
my  purpose,  and  shall  be  mine." 

Descended  from  an  ancient  Northamptonshire  family, 
and  numbering  among  his  ancestry  the  well-known  min- 
ister of  the  same  name  who  flourished  in  the  reign 
of  Richard  the  Third,  Robert  Catesby, — at  this  time 
about  forty, — had  in  his  youth  led  a  wild  and  dissolute 
life ;  and  though  bred  in  the  faith  of  Rome,  he  had  for 
some  years  abandoned  its  worship.  In  1580,  when  the 
Jesuits,  Campion  and  Persons,  visited  England,  he  was 
reconciled  to  the  church  he  had  quitted,  and  thenceforth 
became  as  zealous  a  supporter  and  promoter  of  its  doc- 
trines as  he  had  heretofore  been  their  bitter  opponent. 
He  was  now  actively  engaged  in  all  the  Popish  plots  of 
the  period,  and  was  even  supposed  to  be  connected  with 
those  designs  of  a  darker  dye  which  were  set  on  foot  for 
Elizabeth's  destruction,— with  Somerville's  conspiracy, — 
with  that  of  Arden  and  Throckmorton, — the  latter  of 
whom  was  his  uncle  on  the  maternal  side, — with  the 
plots  of  Bury  and  Savage, — of  Ballard, — and  of  Babing- 
ton.  After  the  execution  of  the  unfortunate  Queen  of 
Scots,  he  devoted  himself  to  what  was  termed  the  Span- 
ish faction,  and  endeavored  to  carry  out  the  schemes  of 
a  party,  who,  distrusting  the  vague  promises  of  James, 
were  anxious  to  secure  the  succession  to  a  Catholic, — the 
Infanta  of  Spain,  or  the  Duke  of  Parma.  On  the  insur- 
rection of  the  Earl  of  Essex,  he  took  part  with  that  ill- 
fated  nobleman ;  and,  though  he  escaped  condign  punish- 
ment for  the  offense,  he  was  imprisoned  and  heavily 
fined. 

From  this  time  his  career  ran  in  darker  channels. 
"Hunger-starved  for  innovation,"  as  he  is  finely  described 
by  Camden, — imbued  with  the  fiercest  religious  fanati- 


ORDSALL  HALL.  23 

cism, — eloquent,  wily,  resolute, — able  alike  to  delude  the 
powerful  and  intimidate  the  weak, — he  possessed  all  the 
ingredients  of  a  conspirator.  Associating  with  men  like 
himself,  of  desperate  character  and  broken  fortunes,  he 
was  ever  on  the  look-out  for  some  means  of  retrieving 
his  own  condition,  and  redressing  the  wrongs  of  his 
church.  Well  informed  of  the  actual  state  of  James's 
sentiments,  when,  on  that  monarch's  accession,  confident 
hopes  were  entertained  by  the  Romanists  of  greater 
toleration  for  their  religion,  Catesby  was  the  first  to  point 
out  their  mistake,  and  to  foretell  the  season  of  terrible 
persecution  that  was  at  hand.  On  this  persecution  he 
grounded  his  hopes — hopes,  never  realized,  for  the  suf- 
ferers, amid  all  the  grievances  they  endured,  remained 
constant  in  their  fidelity  to  the  throne — of  exciting  a 
general  insurrection  among  the  Catholics. 

Disappointed  in  this  expectation, — disappointed,  also, 
in  his  hopes  of  Spain,  of  France,  and  of  aid  from  Rome, 
he  fell  back  upon  himself,  and  resolved  upon  the  execu- 
tion of  a  dark  and  dreadful  project  which  he  had  long 
conceived,  and  which  he  could  execute    almost  single- 
handed,  without   aid  from  foreign  powers,  and  without 
the  co-operation  of  his  own  party.     The  nature  of  this 
project,  which,  if   it  succeeded,  would,  he  imagined,  ac- 
complish all  or  more  than  his  wildest  dreams  of  ambi- 
tion or  fanaticism  had  ever  conceived,  it  will  be  the  busi- 
ness of  this  history  to  develop.     Without  going  further 
into  detail  at  present,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  the  suc- 
cess of  the  plot  depended  so  entirely  on  its  secrecy,  and 
so  well  aware  was  its  contriver  of  the  extraordinary  sys- 
tem of  espionage    carried  on  by  the  Earl  of   Salisbury 
and  the  Privy  Council,  that  for  some  time  he  scarcely 
dared  to  trust  it  out  of  his  keeping.     At  length,  after 
much  deliberation,  he  communicated  it  to  five  others,  all 
of  whom  were  bound  to  silence  by  an  oath  of  unusual 
solemnity  ;  and  as  it  was  necessary  to  the  complete  suc- 
cess of  the  conspiracy  that  its  outbreak  should  be  instan- 
taneously followed  by  a  rise  on  the  part  of  the  Catholics, 


24  GtTY  FAWKES. 

he  darkly  hinted  that  a  plan  was  on  foot  for  their  deliver- 
ance from  the  yoke  of  their  oppressors,  and  counseled 
them  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  fly  to  arms  at  a 
moment's  notice.  But  here  again  he  failed.  Few  were 
disposed  to  listen  to  him ;  and  of  those  who  did,  the 
majority  returned  for  answer,  "  that  their  part  was  en- 
durance, and  that  the  only  arms  which  Christians  could 
use  against  lawful  powers  in  their  severity  were  prayers 
and  tears." 

Among  the  Popish  party  of  that  period,  as  in  our  own 
time,  were  ranked  many  of  the  oldest  and  most  illustrious 
families  in  the  kingdom, — families  not  less  remarkable 
for  their  zeal  for  their  religion  than,  as  has  before  been 
observed,  for  their  loyalty ; — a  loyalty  afterwards  ap- 
proved in  the  disastrous  reign  of  James  the  Second  by 
their  firm  adherence  to  what  they  considered  the  inde- 
feasible right  of  inheritance.  Plots,  indeed,  were  con- 
stantly hatched  throughout  the  reigns  of  Elizabeth  and 
James,  by  persons  professing  the  religion  of  Rome ;  but 
in  these  the  mass  of  the  Catholics  had  no  share.  And 
even  in  the  seasons  of  the  bitterest  persecution,  when 
every  fresh  act  of  treason,  perpetrated  by  some  lawless 
and  disaffected  individual,  was  visited  with  additional 
rigor  on  their  heads, — when  the  scaffold  reeked  with 
their  blood,  and  the  state  smoked  with  their  ashes, — when 
their  quarters  were  blackening  on  the  gates  and  market- 
crosses  of  every  city  in  the  realm, — when  their  hearths 
were  invaded,  their  religion  proscribed,  and  the  very 
name  of  Papist  had  become  a  byword, — even  in  those 
terrible  seasons,  as  in  the  season  under  consideration, 
they  remained  constant  in  their  fidelity  to  the  crown. 

From  the  troubled  elements  at  work,  some  fierce  and 
turbulent  spirits  were  sure  to  arise, — some  gloomy  fanatics 
who,  having  brooded  over  their  wrongs,  real  or  imaginary, 
till  they  had  lost  all  scruples  of  conscience,  hesitated  at  no 
means  of  procuring  redress.  But  it  would  be  unjust  to 
hold  up  such  persons  as  representatives  of  the  whole 
body  of  Catholics.     Among  the  conspiratoi'S  themselves 


ORDSALL  HALL.  25 

there  were  redeeming  shades.  All  were  not  actuated  by 
the  same  atrocious  motives.  Mixed  feelings  induced 
Catesby  to  adopt  the  measure.  Not  so  Guy  Fawkes,  who 
had  already  been  leagued  with  the  desigu.  One  idea 
alone  ruled  him.  A  soldier  of  fortune,  but  a  stern  reli- 
gious enthusiast,  he  supposed  himself  chosen  by  Heaven 
for  the  redemption  of  his  church,  and  cared  not  what 
happened  to  himself,  provided  he  accomplished  his  (as  he 
conceived)  holy  design. 

In  considering  the  causes  which  produced  the  conspiracy 
about  to  be  related,  and  in  separating  the  disaffected 
party  of  the  Papists  from  the  temperate,  due  weight  must 
be  given  to  the  influence  of  the  priesthood.  Of  the 
Romish  clergy  there  were  two  classes — the  secular 
priests,  and  the  Jesuits  and  missionaries.  Wliile  the 
former,  like  the  more  moderate  of  the  laity,  would  have 
been  well-contented  with  toleration  for  their  religion,  the 
latter  breathed  nothing  but  revenge,  and  desired  the 
utter  subversion  of  the  existing  government,  temporal 
as  well  as  ecclesiastical.  Men,  for  the  most  part,  of  high 
intellectual  powers,  of  untiring  energy,  and  unconquerable 
fortitude,  they  were  enabled  by  their  zeal  and  ability  to 
make  many  proselytes.  By  their  means,  secret  corre- 
spondence was  carried  on  with  the  different  courts  of 
Europe ;  and  they  were  not  without  hope  that,  taking  ad- 
vantage of  some  favorable  crisis,  they  should  yet  restore 
their  church  to  its  former  supremacy.  To  these  persons, 
— who  held  as  a  maxim,  "  Qui  reUgio7iem  Catholicam 
deserit  regnandi  jus  omne  amisU^'' — Catesby  and  his 
associates  proved  ready  and  devoted  agents.  Through 
their  instrumentality,  they  hoped  to  accomplish  the  great 
work  of  their  restoration.  To  Father  Garnet,  the  pro- 
vincial of  the  English  Jesuits,  of  whom  it  will  be  necessary 
to  speak  more  fully  hereafter,  the  plot  had  been  revealed 
by  Catesby  under  the  seal  of  confession ;  and,  though  it 
subsequently  became  a  question  whether  he  was  justified 
in  withholding  a  secret  of  such  importance  to  the  state, 
it  is  sufficient  for  the  present  purpose  to  say  that  he  did 


26  GUY  FAWKES. 

withhold  it.  For  the  treasonable  practises  of  the  Jesuits 
and  their  faction  some  palliation  may  perhaps  be  found 
in  the  unrelenting  persecution  to  which  they  were  sub- 
jected ;  but  if  any  excuse  can  be  admitted  for  them, 
what  opinion  must  be  formed  of  the  conduct  of  their 
temperate  brethren  ?  Surely,  while  the  one  is  condemned, 
admiration  may  be  mingled  with  the  sympathy  which 
must  be  felt  for  the  unmerited  sufferings  of  the  other  ! 

From  the  foregoing  statement,  it  will  be  readily  inferred 
that  Sir  ^Yilliam  Radclifte,  a  devout  Catholic,  and  a  man 
of  large  possessions,  though  somewhat  reduced  by  the 
heavy  fines  imposed  upon  him  as  a  recusant,  must  have 
appeared  an  object  of  importance  to  the  conspirators ; 
nor  will  it  be  wondered  at,  that  every  means  were  used  to 
gain  him  to  their  cause.  Acting,  however,  upon  the 
principles  that  swayed  the  well-disposed  of  his  party,  the 
knight  resisted  all  these  overtures,  and  refused  to  take 
any  share  in  proceedings  from  which  his  conscience  and 
loyalty  alike  revolted.  BaflQed,  but  not  defeated,  Catesby 
returned  to  the  charge  on  a  new  point  of  assault.  Him- 
self a  widower  (or  supposed  to  be  so),  he  solicited  the 
hand  of  the  lovely  Viviana  Radcliffe,  Sir  William's  only 
child,  and  the  sole  heiress  of  his  possessions.  But  his  suit 
in  this  quarter  was,  also,  unsuccessful.  The  knight  re- 
jected the  proposal,  alleging  that  his  daughter  had  no 
inclination  to  any  alliance,  inasmuch  as  she  entertained 
serious  thoughts  of  avowing  herself  to  heaven.  Thus 
foiled,  Catesby  ostensibly  relinquished  his  design. 

Shortly  before  the  commencement  of  this  history,  a 
pilgrimage  to  Saint  Winifred's  Well,  in  Flintshire,  was 
undertaken  by  Father  Garnet,  the  provincial  of  the 
Jesuits  before  mentioned,  in  company  with  several  dis- 
tinguished Catholic  jjcrsonages  of  both  sexes,  and  to  this 
ceremonial  Sir  William  and  his  daughter  were  urgently 
bidden.  The  invitation  was  declined  on  the  part  of 
Viviana,  but  accepted  by  the  knight,  who,  though  un- 
willing to  leave  home  at  a  period  of  so  much  danger,  or  to 
commit  his  daughter  to  any  care  but  his  own,  even  for  so 


ORDSALL  HALL.  27 

short  a  space,  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  give  countenance 
by  his  presence  to  the  ceremonial. 

Accordingly,  he  departed  for  Chester  on  the  previous 
day,  as  stated  by  the  steward.  And,  though  Catesby 
professed  ignorance  on  the  subject,  and  even  affirmed  he 
had  heard  to  the  contrary,  it  may  be  doubted  whether 
he  was  not  secretly  informed  of  the  circumstance,  and 
whether  his  arrival,  at  this  particular  conjuncture,  was 
not  preconcerted. 

Thus  much  in  explanation  of  what  is  to  follow.  The 
course  of  Catesby's  reflections  was  cut  short  by  the  return 
of  the  steward,  who,  informing  him  that  he  had  his  mis- 
tress's commands  to  admit  him,  immediately  lowered  the 
drawbridge  for  that  purpose.  Dismounting,  and  com- 
mitting his  steed  to  one  of  the  serving-men,  who  ad- 
vanced to  take  it,  Catesby  followed  his  conductor  through 
a  stone  gateway,  and  crossing  the  garden,  was  ushered 
into  a  spacious  and  lofty  hall,  furnished  with  a  long 
massy  oak  table,  at  the  upper  end  of  which  was  a  raised 
dais.  At  one  side  of  the  chamber  yawned  a  huge  arched 
fireplace,  garnished  with  enormous  andirons,  on  which 
smoldered  a  fire  composed  of  mixed  turf  and  wood. 
Above  the  chimney-piece  hung  a  suit  of  chain-armor, 
with  the  battle-axe,  helmet,  and  gauntlets  of  Sir  John 
Radcliffe,  the  first  possessor  of  Ordsall,  who  flourished  in 
the  reign  of  Edward  the  First ;  on  the  right,  masking  the 
entrance,  stood  a  magnificent  screen  of  carved  oak. 

Traversing  this  hall,  Heydocke  led  the  way  to  another 
large  apartment ;  and  placing  lights  on  a  Gothic-shaped 
table,  offered  a  seat  to  the  newcomer,  and  departed. 
The  room  in  which  Catesby  was  left  was  termed  the 
star-chamber — a  name  retained  to  this  day — from  the 
circumstance  of  its  ceiling  being  molded  and  painted  to 
resemble  the  heavenly  vault  when  studded  with  the 
luminaries  of  night.  It  was  terminated  by  a  deeply- 
embayed  window  filled  with  stained  glass  of  the  most 
gorgeous  colors.  The  walls,  in  some  places,  were  hung 
with  arras,  in  others,  wainscoted  Avith  dark  lustrous  oak, 


28  GUY  FAWKES. 

embellished  with  scrolls,  ciphers,  and  fanciful  designs. 
The  mantel-piece  was  of  the  same  solid  material,  curiously 
carved,  and  of  extraordinary  size.  It  was  adorned  with 
the  armorial  bearings  of  the  family — two  bends  en- 
grailed, and  in  chief  a  label  of  three, — and  other  devices 
and  inscriptions.  The  hearth  was  considerably  raised 
above  the  level  of  the  floor,  and  there  was  a  peculiarity 
in  the  construction  of  the  massive  wooden  pillars  flank- 
ing it,  that  attracted  the  attention  of  Catesby,  who  rose 
with  the  intention  of  examining  them  more  narrowly, 
when  he  was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  the  lady  of 
the  mansion. 

Advancing  at  a  slow  and  dignified  pace,  Viviana  Rad- 
clitfe  courteously  but  gravely  saluted  her  guest;  and, 
without  offering  him  her  hand,  motioned  him  to  a  chair, 
while  she  seated  herself  at  a  little  distance.  Catesb}'' 
had  seen  her  twice  before;  and  whether  the  circum- 
stances under  which  they  now  met  might  have  caused 
some  change  in  her  demeanor  he  could  not  tell,  but  he 
thought  her  singularly  altered.  A  year  ago  she  had  been 
a  lively,  laughing  girl  of  seventeen,  with  a  bright  brown 
skin,  dark  flowing  tresses,  and  eyes  as  black  and  radiant 
as  those  of  a  gipsy.  She  was  now  a  grave,  collected 
woman,  infinitely  more  beautiful,  but  wholly  changed  in 
character.  Her  complexion  had  become  a  clear,  trans- 
parent white,  and  set  off  to  great  advantage  her  large, 
luminous  eyes,  and  jetty  brows.  Her  figure  was  tall  and 
majestic ;  her  features  regular,  delicately  formed,  and  of 
the  rarest  and  proudest  class  of  beauty.  She  was  attired  in 
a  dress  of  black  wrought  velvet,  entirely  without  ornament 
except  the  rosary  at  her  girdle,  with  a  small  ebony  cru- 
cifix attached  to  it.  She  wore  a  close-fitting  cap,  like- 
wise of  black  velvet,  edged  with  pearls,  beneath  which 
her  raven  tresses  were  gathered  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
display  most  becomingly  the  smooth  and  snowy  expanse 
of  her  forehead.  Tlie  gravity  of  her  manner,  not  less 
than  her  charms  of  person,  seem  to  have  struck  Catesby 
mute.     He  gazed  on  her  in  silent  admiration  for  a  brief 


ORDSALL  HALL.  29 

space,  utterly  forgetful  of  the  object  of  his  visit,  and  the 
part  he  intended  to  play.  During  this  pause,  she  main- 
tained the  most  perfect  composure,  and  jEixing  her  dark 
eyes  full  upon  him,  a]3peared  to  await  the  moment  when 
he  might  choose  to  open  the  conversation. 

Notwithstanding  his  age,  and  the  dissolute  and  dis- 
tracted life  he  had  led,  Catesby  was  still  good-looking 
enough  to  have  produced  a  favorable  impression  upon  any 
woman  easily  captivated  by  manly  beauty.  The  very 
expression  of  his  marked  and  peculiar  physiognomy, — in 
some  degree  an  index  to  his  character, — was  sufficient 
to  rivet  attention  ;  and  the  mysterious  interest  generally 
inspired  by  his  presence  was  not  dimmished  on  further 
acquaintance  with  him.  Though  somewhat  stern  in  their 
expression,  his  features  were  strikingly  handsome,  cast  in 
an  oval  mold,  and  clothed  with  the  pointed  beard  and 
trimmed  mustaches  invariably  met  with  in  the  portraits 
of  Vandyck.  His  frame  was  strongly  built,  but  well  pro- 
portioned, and  seemed  capable  of  enduring  the  greatest 
fatigue.  His  dress  was  that  of  an  ordinary  gentleman  of 
the  period,  and  consisted  of  a  doublet  of  quilted  silk,  of 
sober  color  and  stout  texture ;  large  trunk-hose  swelling 
out  at  the  hips ;  and  buff  boots,  armed  with  spurs  with 
immense  rowels.  He  wore  a  high  and  stiffly-starched 
ruff  round  his  throat ;  and  his  apj^arel  was  completed  by 
a  short  cloak  of  brown  cloth,  lined  with  silk  of  a  similar 
color.  His  arms  were  rapier  and  poniard,  and  his  high 
crowned  plumed  hat,  of  the  peculiar  form  then  in  vogue, 
and  looped  on  the  "  leer-side  "  with  a  diamond  clasp,  was 
thrown  upon  the  table. 

Some  little  time  having  elapsed,  during  which  he  made 
no  effort  to  address  her,  Viviana  broke  silence. 

"I  understood  you  desired  to  speak  with  me  on  a 
matter  of  urgency,  Mr.  Catesby,"  she  remarked. 

"  I  did  so,"  he  replied,  as  if  aroused  from  a  reverie  ;  "  and 
I  can  only  excuse  my  absence  of  mind  and  ill  manners, 
on  the  plea  that  the  contemplation  of  your  charms  has 
driven  all  other  matter  out  of  my  head." 


30  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Mr.  Catesby,"  returned  Viviana,  rising,  "  if  the  pur- 
pose of  your  visit  be  merely  to  pay  unmerited  compli- 
ments, I  must  at  once  put  an  end  to  it." 

"  I  have  only  obeyed  the  impulse  of  my  heart,"  resumed 
the  other,  passionately,  "and  uttered  what  involuntarily 
rose  to  my  lips.  But,"  he  added,  checking  himself,  "I 
will  not  offend  you  with  my  admiration.  If  you  have 
read  my  letter  to  your  father,  you  will  not  require  to  be 
informed  of  the  object  of  my  visit." 

"  I  have  not  read  it,"  replied  Viviana,  returning  him 
the  packet  with  the  seal  unbi-oken.  "  I  can  give  no 
opinion  on  any  matter  of  difficulty.  And  I  have  no  desire 
to  know  any  secret  with  which  my  father  might  not 
desire  me  to  be  acquainted." 

"  Are  we  overheard  ? "  inquired  Catesby,  glancing 
suspiciously  at  the  fireplace. 

"  By  no  one  whom  you  would  care  to  overhear  us," 
returned  the  maiden, 

"  Then  it  is  as  I  supposed,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  Father 
Oldcorne  is  concealed  behind  that  mantel-piece  ?  " 

Viviana  smiled  an  affirmative. 

"  Let  him  come  forth,  I  pray  you,"  returned  Catesby. 
"  What  I  have  to  say  concerns  him  as  much  as  yourself 
or  your  father ;  and  I  would  gladly  have  his  voice  in  the 
matter." 

"  You  shall  have  it,  my  son,"  replied  a  reverend  per- 
sonage, clad  in  a  priestly  garb,  stepping  from  out  one 
side  of  the  mantel-piece,  which  flew  suddenly  open,  disclos- 
ing a  recess  curiously  contrived  in  the  thickness  of  the 
wall.  "  You  shall  have  it,"  said  Father  Oldcorne,  for  he 
it  was,  approaching  and  extending  his  arms  over  him. 
"  Accept  my  blessing  and  my  welcome." 

Catesby  received  the  benediction  with  bowed  head  and 
bended  knee. 

"  And  now,"  continued  the  priest,  "  what  has  the 
bravest  soldier  of  our  church  to  declare  to  its  lowliest 
servant  ? " 

Catesby  then  briefly  explained,  as  he  had  before  done 


ORDSALL  HALL.  31 

to  the  steward,  why  he  had  taken  Manchester  in  his  route 
to  North  Wales ;  and,  after  lamenthig  his  inability  to 
render  any  assistance  to  the  unfortunate  priests,  he  went 
on  to  state  that  he  had  accidentally  learnt,  from  a  few 
words  let  fall  by  the  pursuivant  to  his  attendant,  that  a 
warrant  had  been  sent  by  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  for  Sir 
William  Radcliffe's  arrest. 

"My  father's  arrest!"  exclaimed  Viviana,  trembling 
violently.     "  What — what  is  laid  to  his  charge  ?  " 

"  Felony,"  rejoined  Catesby,  sternly — "  felony,  without 
benefit  of  clergy — for  so  it  is  accounted  by  the  iDresent 
execrable  laws  of  our  land, — in  harboring  a  Jesuit  priest. 
If  he  is  convicted  of  the  oflt'ense,  his  punishment  will  be 
death — death  on  the  gibbet,  accompanied  by  indignities 
worse  than  those  shown  to  a  common  felon." 

"  Holy  Virgin  !  "  ejaculated  Father  Oldcorne,  lifting  up 
his  hands,  and  raising  his  eyes  to  heaven. 

"  From  what  I  gathered,  the  officers  will  visit  this 
house  to-night,"  continued  Catesby. 

"  Our  Lady  be  praised,  they  will  not  find  him !  "  cried 
Viviana,  who  had  been  thrown  into  an  agony  of  distress. 
"  What  is  to  be  done  in  this  frightful  emergency,  holy 
father?  "she  added,  turning  to  the  priest,  with  a  sup- 
plicating look. 

"  Heaven  only  knows,  dear  daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne. 
"  You  had  better  appeal  for  counsel  to  one  who  is  more 
able  to  afford  it  than  I  am, — Mr.  Catesby.  Well  aware 
of  the  crafty  devices  of  our  enemies,  and  having  often 
eluded  their  snares  himself,  he  may  enable  you  to  escape 
them.  My  own  course  is  clear.  I  shall  quit  this  roof  at 
once,  deeply  and  bitterly  regretting  that  by  entering  it,  I 
have  placed  those  whom  I  hold  so  dear,  and  from  whom 
I  have  experienced  so  much  kindness,  in  such  fearful 
jeopardy." 

"  Oh,  no,  father  !  "  exclaimed  Viviana,  "  you  shall  not 
go." 

"  Daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne,  solemnly,  "  I  have  long 
home  the  cross  of  Christ, — have  long  endured  the  stripes, 


32  GUY  FAWKES. 

inflicted  upon  me  by  the  adversaries  of  our  faith,  in 
patience ;  and  my  last  actions  and  last  breath  shall  testify 
to  the  truth  of  our  holy  religion.  But,  though  I  could 
endure  aught  on  my  own  account,  I  cannot  consent  to 
bring  misery  and  destruction  upon  others.  Hinder  me 
not,  dear  daughter.     I  will  go  at  once." 

"  Hold,  father  !  "  interposed  Catesby.  "  The  step  you 
would  take  may  bring  about  what  you  are  most  anxious 
to  avoid.  If  you  are  discovered  and  apprehended  in  this 
neighborhood,  suspicion  will  still  attach  to  your  protec- 
tors, and  the  secret  of  your  departure  will  be  wrung 
from  some  of  the  more  timid  of  the  household.  Tarry 
where  you  are.  Let  the  pursuivant  make  his  search.  I 
will  engage  to  baffle  his  vigilance." 

"  He  speaks  the  truth,  dear  father,"  returned  Viviana. 
"  You  must  not — shall  not  depart.  There  are  plenty  of 
hiding-places,  as  you  know,  within  the  mansion.  Let 
them  be  as  rigorous  as  they  may  in  their  search,  they 
will  not  discover  you." 

"  Whatever  course  you  adjudge  best  for  the  security  of 
others,  I  will  pursue,"  rejoined  Oldcorne,  turning  to 
Catesby.     "  Put  me  out  of  the  question." 

"My  opinion  has  already  been  given,  father,"  replied 
Catesby.     "  Remain  where  you  are." 

"  But,  if  the  officers  should  ascertain  that  my  father  is 
at  Chester,  and  pursue  him  thither  ?  "  cried  Viviana,  sud- 
denly struck  by  a  new  cause  of  alarm. 

"  A  messenger  must  be  immediately  despatched  after 
him  to  give  him  warning,"  returned  Catesby. 

"  Will  you  be  that  messenger  ? "  asked  the  maiden, 
eagerly. 

"  I  would  shed  my  heart's  best  blood  to  pleasure  you," 
returned  Catesby. 

"  Then  I  may  count  upon  this  service,  for  which,  rest 
assured,  I  will  not  prove  ungrateful,"  she  rejoined. 

"  You  may,"  answered  Catesby.  "  And  yet  I  would,  on 
Father  Oldcorne's  account,  that  my  departure  might  be 
delayed  till  to-morrow," 


ORDSALL  HALL.  33 

«  The  delay  might  be  fatal,"  cried  Viviana.  "  You  must 
be  in  Chester  before  that  time." 

« Doubt  it  not,"  returned  Catesby.  "  Charged  with 
your  wishes,  the  wind  shall  scarcely  outstrip  my  speed." 

So  saying,  he  marched  irresolutely  towards  the  door, 
as  if  about  to  depart,  when,  just  as  he  had  reached  it,  he 
turned  sharply  round,  and  threw  himself  at  Viviana's 
feet. 

«  Forgive  me.  Miss  Radcliff e,"  he  cried,  "  if  I  once  again, 
even  at  a  critical  moment  like  the  present,  dare  to  renew 
my  suit.  I  fancied  I  had  subdued  my  passion  for  you, 
but  your  presence  has  awakened  it  with  greater  violence 
than  ever." 

"  Rise,  sir,  I  pray,"  rejoined  the  maiden,  in  an  offended 
tone. 

"  Hear  me,  I  beseech  you,"  continued  Catesby,  seizing 
her  hand.  "  Before  you  reject  my  suit,  consider  well  that 
in  these  perilous  seasons,  when  no  true  Catholic  can  call 
his  life  his  own,  you  may  need  a  protector." 

"In  the  event  you  describe,  Mr.  Catesby,"  answered 
Viviana,  "I  would  at  once  fulfil  the  intention  I  have 
formed  of  devoting  myself  to  Heaven,  and  retire  to  the 
convent  of  Benedictine  nuns,  founded  by  Lady  Mary 
Percy,  at  Brussels." 

« You  would  much  more  effectually  serve  the  cause  of 
your  religion  by  acceding  to  my  suit,"  observed  Catesby, 
rising. 

"  How  so  ?  "  she  inquired. 

"Listen  to  me,  Miss  Radcliffe,"  he  rejoined,  gravely, 
« and  let  my  words  be  deeply  graven  upon  your  heart. 
In  your  hands  rests  the  destiny  of  the  Catholic  Church." 

"  In  mine  !  "  exclaimed  Viviana. 

"In  yours,"  returned  Catesby.  "A  mighty  blow  is 
about  to  be  struck  for  her  deliverance." 

"  Ay,  marry,  is  it,"  cried  Oldcorne,  with  sudden  fervor. 
"Redemption  draweth  nigh;  the  year  of  visitation  ap- 
proacheth  to  an  end ;  and  jubilation  is  at  hand.  England 
shall  again  be  called  a  happy  realm,  a  blessed  country,  a 


34  GUY  FAWKES. 

religious  people.  Those  who  knew  the  former  glory  of 
religion  shall  lift  up  their  hands  for  joy  to  see  it  returned 
again.  Righteousness  shall  prosper,  and  infidelity  be 
plucked  up  by  the  root.  False  error  shall  vanish  like 
smoke,  and  they  which  saw  it  shall  say  where  is  it  be- 
come ?  The  daughters  of  Babylon  shall  be  cast  down, 
and  in  the  dust  lament  their  ruin.  Proud  heresy  shall 
strike  her  sail,  and  groan  as  a  beast  crushed  under  a 
cart-wheel.  The  memory  of  novelties  shall  perish  with  a 
crack,  and  as  a  ruinous  house  falling  to  the  ground.  Re- 
pent, ye  seducers,  with  speed,  and  prevent  the  dreadful 
wrath  of  the  Powerable.  He  will  come  as  flame  that 
burnetii  out  beyond  the  furnace.  His  fury  shall  fly  forth 
as  thunder,  and  pitch  upon  their  tops  that  malign  him. 
They  shall  perish  in  his  fury,  and  melt  like  wax  before 
the  fire." 

«  Amen ! "  ejaculated  Catesby,  as  the  priest  concluded. 
«  You  have  spoken  prophetically,  father." 

« I  have  but  recited  a  prayer  transmitted  to  me  by 
Father  Garnet,"  rejoined  Oldcorne. 

"  Do  you  discern  any  hidden  meaning  in  it  ?  "  demanded 
Catesby. 

"  Yea,  verily,  my  son,"  returned  the  priest.  "  In  the 
*■  false  error  vanishing  like  smoke,' — in  the  '  hoitse  perish- 
ing icith  a  CRACK,' — and  in  the  'fury  flying  forth  as 
THUNDER,' — I  read  the  mode  the  great  Avork  shall  be 
brought  about." 

"  And  you  applaud  the  design  ?  "  asked  Catesby,  eagerly. 

"  JSTon  vero  factum  proho^  sed  eventum  a??io,"  rejoined 
the  priest. 

"  The  secret  is  safe  in  your  keepmg,  father  ?  "  asked 
Catesby,  uneasily. 

"  As  if  it  had  been  disclosed  to  me  in  private  confession," 
replied  Oldcorne. 

"  Hum  ! "  muttered  Catesby,  "  Confessions  of  as  much 
consequence  to  the  state  have  ere  now  been  revealed, 
father." 

« A  decree  has  been  passed  by  his  holiness,  Clement 


ORDSALL  HALL.  35 

VITI.,  forbidding  all  such  revelations,"  replied  Oldcorne. 
"  And  the  question  has  been  recently  propounded  by  a 
learned  brother  of  our  order,  Father  Antonio  Delrio,  who, 
in  his  Magical  Disquisitions,  putteth  it  thus  : — '  Supposing 
a  malefactor  shall  confess  that  he  himself  or  some  other 
has  laid  Guxpowdee,  or  the  like  combustible  matter,  under 
a  building — '  " 

"  Ha  !  "  exclaimed  Catesby,  starting. 

"  — '  And,  unless  it  be  taken  away,' "  proceeded  the 
priest,  regarding  him  fixedly,  " '  the  whole  house  will  be 
burnt,  the  prince  destroyed,  and  as  many  as  go  into  or 
out  of  the  city  will  come  to  great  mischief  or  peril ! '" * 

"  Well !  "  exclaimed  Catesby. 

"  The  point  then  arises,"  continued  Oldcorne,  "  whether 
the  priest  may  make  use  of  the  secret  thus  obtained  for 
the  good  of  the  government,  and  the  averting  of  such 
danger  ;  and,  after  fully  discussing  it.  Father  Delrio  de- 
cides in  the  negative." 

"  Enough,"  returned  Catesby. 

"By  whom  is  the  blow  to  be  struck  ?  "  asked  Viviana, 
who  had  listened  to  the  foregoing  discourse  in  silent 
wonder, 

«  By  me,"  answered  Catesby.  "  It  is  for  you  to  nerve 
my  arm." 

"You  speak  in  riddles,"  she  replied.  "I  understand 
you  not." 

"  Question  Father  Oldcorne,  then,  as  to  mj'-  meaning," 
rejoined  Catesby ;  "he  will  tell  you  that,  allied  to  you,  I 
could  not  fail  in  the  enterprise  on  which  I  am  engaged." 

"  It  is  the  truth,  dear  daughter,"  Oldcorne  asseverated. 

"I  will  not  inquire  further  into  this  mystery,"  returned 
Viviana,  "  for  sucli  it  is  to  me.  But,  believing  what  you 
both  assert,  I  answer,  that  willingly  as  I  would  lay  down 

*  Confitetur  maleflcus  se  vel  alium  posuisse  pulverem  vel  quid 
aliud  sub  tali  limine,  et  nisi  tollantur  domum  comburendam,  priu- 
cipem  interiturum,  quotquot  urbem  egredienturque  in  magnam 
perniciem  aut  periculum  veuturos. — Deluio,  Disq.  Mug.,  lib.  vi. 
cap.  1.  {Edit.  IGOO.J 


36  GUY  FAWKES. 

my  life  for  the  welfare  of  our  holy  religion,  persuading 
myself,  as  I  do,  that  I  have  constancy  enough  to  endure 
martyrdom  for  its  sake, — I  cannot  consent  to  your  pro- 
posal. Nay,  if  I  must  avouch  the  whole  truth,"  she  con- 
tinued, blushing  deeply,  "  my  affections  are  already  en- 
gaged, though  to  one  with  whom  I  can  never  hope  to  be 
united." 

"  You  have  your  answer,  my  son,"  observed  the  priest. 

Catesby  replied  with  a  look  of  the  deepest  mortifica- 
tion and  disappointment;  and,  bowing  coldly  to  Viviana, 
said,  "  I  now  depart  to  obey  your  behests.  Miss  Rad- 
cliffe." 

"  Commend  me  in  all  duty  to  my  dear  father,"  replied 
Viviana,  "  and  believe  that  I  shall  forever  feel  bound  to 
you  for  your  zeal." 

"  Neglect  not  all  due  caution,  father,"  observed  Catesby, 
glancing  significantly  at  Oldcorne.  "  Forewarned,  fore- 
armed." 

"  Doubt  me  not,  my  son,"  rejoined  the  Jesuit.  "  My 
prayers  shall  be  for  you. 

Gentem  auferte  perfidam 
Credentium  de  finibus, 
Ut  Christo  laudes  debitas 
Persolvamus  alaoriter. 

After  receiving  a  parting  benediction  from  the  priest, 
Catesby  took  his  leave.  His  steed  was  speedily  brought 
to  the  door  by  the  old  steward ;  and  mounting  it,  he 
crossed  the  drawbridge,  which  was  immediately  raised 
behind  him,  and  hastened  on  his  journey. 


THE  SEAKCH.  37 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE    SEARCH. 

InnrEDiATELY  after  Catesby's  departure,  ITeydocke  was 
suuimoiied  to  his  mistress's  presence.  He  found  her 
with  the  priest,  and  was  informed  that  in  all  probability 
the  house  would  be  visited  that  night  by  the  messengers 
of  the  Privy  Council.  The  old  steward  received  the  in- 
telligence as  he  might  have  done  liis  death-warrant,  and 
looked  so  bewildered  and  affrighted,  that  Yiviana  half 
repented  having  acquainted  him  with  it. 

"  Compose  yourself,  Master  Heydocke,"  she  said,  try- 
ing to  reason  him  out  of  his  fears ;  "  the  search  may  not 
take  place.  And  if  it  does,  there  is  nothing  to  be  alarmed 
at.     I  am  not  afraid,  you  perceive." 

"  Nothing  to  be  alarmed  at,  my  dear  young  lady ! " 
gasped  the  steward.  "  You  have  never  witnessed  a  mid- 
night search  for  a  priest  b}''  these  ruffianly  catchpoles,  as 
I  have,  or  you  would  not  say  so.  Father  Oldcorne  will 
comprehend  my  uneasiness,  and  excuse  it.  The  mis- 
creants break  into  the  house  like  robbers,  and  treat  its 
inmates  worse  than  robbers  would  treat  them.  They 
have  no  regard  for  decency, — no  consideration  for  sex, — 
no  respect  for  persons.  Not  a  chamber  is  sacred  from 
them.  If  a  door  is  bolted,  they  burst  it  open  ;  a  cabinet 
locked,  they  tarry  not  for  the  key.  They  pull  down  the 
hangings,  thrust  their  rapier-points  into  the  crevices  of 
the  wainscot,  discharge  their  firearms  against  the  wall, 
and  sometimes  threaten  to  pull  down  the  house  itself,  if 
the  object  of  their  quest  be  not  delivered  to  them.  Their 
oaths,  abominations,  and  menaces  are  horrible  ;  and  their 
treatment  of  females,  even  of  your  degree,  honored  mis- 
tress, too  barbarous  to  relate.  Poor  Lady  Nevil  died  of 
the  fright  she  got  by  such  a  visit  at  dead  of  night  to  her 


}  2  4  0  6 


38  GUY  FAWKES. 

residence  in  Holborn.  Mrs.  Vavasour,  of  York,  lost  her 
senses  ;  and  many  others  whom  I  could  mention  have 
been  equal  sufferers.  Nothing  to  be  alarmed  at.  Heaven 
grant,  my  dear,  dear  young  lady,  that  you  may  never  be 
fatally  convinced  to  the  contrary  ! " 

"  Suppose  my  apprehensions  are  as  great  as  your  own. 
Master  Heydocke,"  replied  Viviana,  who,  though  some- 
what infected  by  his  terrors,  still  maintained  her  firm- 
ness ;  "  I  do  not  see  how  the  danger  is  to  be  averted  by 
idle  lamentations  and  misgivings.  We  must  meet  it 
boldly ;  and  trust  to  Him  who  is  our  only  safeguard,  in 
the  hour  of  peril,  for  protection.  Do  not  alarm  the  house- 
hold, but  let  all  retire  to  rest  as  usual." 

"  Right,  daughter,"  observed  the  priest.  "  Preparations 
for  resistance  would  only  excite  suspicion." 

"  Can  you  depend  on  the  servants,  in  case  they  are 
examined  ? "  asked  Viviana  of  the  steward,  who  by  this 
time  had  partially  recovered  his  composure. 

"  I  think  so,"  returned  Heydocke  ;  "  but  the  threats  of 
the  officers  are  so  dreadful,  and  their  conduct  so  violent 
and  outrageous,  that  I  can  scarcely  answer  for  myself.  I 
would  not  advise  your  reverence  to  remain  in  that  hiding- 
place,"  he  added,  pointing  to  the  chimney-piece ;  "  they 
are  sure  to  discover  it." 

"If  not  here,  where  shall  I  conceal  myself?"  rejoined 
Oldcorne,  uneasily. 

"  There  are  many  nooks  in  which  your  reverence  might 
hide,"  replied  the  steward  ;  "  but  the  knaves  are  so  crafty, 
and  so  well  experienced  in  their  vocation,  that  I  dare  not 
recommend  any  of  them  as  secure.  I  would  advise  you 
to  remain  on  the  watch,  and,  in  case  of  alarm,  I  will  con- 
duct you  to  the  oratory  in  the  north  gallery,  adjoining 
Mistress  Viviana's  sleeping-chamber,  where  there  is  a 
panel  in  the  wall,  known  only  to  myself  and  my  master, 
opening  upon  a  secret  passage  running  many  hundred 
yards  underground,  and  communicating  with  a  small  out- 
building on  the  other  side  of  the  moat.  There  is  a  con- 
trivance  in  this   passage,  which  I  will  explain   to  your 


THE  SEARCH.  39 

reverence  if  need  be,  which  will  cut  off  any  possibility  of 
pursuit  in  that  quarter." 

"  Be  it  so,"  replied  the  priest.  "  I  place  myself  in  your 
hands,  good  Master  Heydocke,  well  assured  of  your  fidelity. 
I  shall  remain  throughout  the  night  in  this  chamber, 
occupied  in  my  devotions." 

"  You  will  suffer  me  to  pray  with  you,  father,  I  trust  ?  " 
said  Viviana. 

"  If  you  desire  it,  assuredly,  dear  daughter,"  rejoined 
Oldcorne ;  "  but  I  am  unwilling  you  should  sacrifice  your 

rest." 

"  It  will  be  no  sacrifice,  father,  for  I  should  not  slum- 
ber, even  if  I  sought  my  couch,"  she  returned.  "  Go,  good 
Heydocke.  Keep  vigilant  watch :  and,  if  you  hear  the 
slightest  noise  without,  fail  not  to  give  us  warning." 

The  steward  bowed,  and  departed. 

Some  hours  elapsed,  during  which  nothing  occurred  to 
alarm  Viviana  and  her  companion,  who  consumed  the 
time  in  prayer  and  devout  conversation ;  when,  just  at 
the  stroke  of  two, — as  the  former  was  kneeling  before  her 
spiritual  adviser,  and  receiving  absolution  for  the  slight 
off'enses  of  which  a  being  so  pure-minded  could  be  sup- 
posed capable, — a  noise  like  the  falling  of  a  bar  of  iron 
was  heard  beneath  the  wmdow.  The  priest  turned  pale, 
and  cast  a  look  of  uneasiness  at  the  maiden,  who  said 
nothing,  but  snatching  up  the  light,  and  motioning  him 
to  remain  quiet,  hurried  out  of  the  room  in  search  of  the 
steward.  He  was  nowhere  to  be  found.  In  vain,  she  ex- 
amined all  the  lower  rooms, — in  vain,  called  to  him  by 
name.     No  answer  was  returned. 

Greatly  terrified,  she  was  preparing  to  retrace  her  steps, 
when  she  heard  the  sound  of  muttered  voices  in  the  hall. 
Extinguishing  her  light,  she  advanced  to  the  door,  which 
was  left  ajar,  and,  taking  care  not  to  expose  herself  to 
observation,  beheld  several  armed  figures,  some  of  whom 
bore  dark  lanterns,  while  others  surrounded  and  menaced 
with  their  drawn  swords  the  unfortunate  steward.  From 
their  discourse  she  ascertained  that,  having  thrown  a  plank 


40  GUY  FAWltES. 

across  the  moat,  and  concealed  themselves  within  the 
garden  until  they  had  reconnoitered  the  premises,  tliey  had 
contrived  to  gain  admittance  unperceived  through  the 
window  of  a  small  back  room,  in  which  they  had  surprised 
Heydocke,  who  had  fallen  asleep  on  his  post,  and  captured 
him.  One  amongst  their  number,  who  appeared  to  act  as 
leader,  and  whom,  from  his  garb,  and  the  white  wand  he 
carried,  Viviana  knew  must  be  a  pursuivant,  now  pro- 
ceeded to  interrogate  the  prisoner.  To  every  question 
proposed  to  him  the  steward  shook  his  head ;  and,  in  spite 
of  the  threats  of  the  examinant,  and  the  blows  of  his 
followers,  he  persisted  in  maintaining  silence. 

"  If  we  cannot  make  this  contumacious  rascal  speak,  we 
will  find  others  more  tractable,"  observed  the  pursuivant. 
"  I  will  not  leave  any  corner  of  the  house  unvisited ;  nor 
a  soul  within  it  unquestioned.     Ah !  here  they  come  !  " 

As  he  spoke,  several  of  the  serving-men,  with  some  of 
the  female  domestics,  who  had  been  alarmed  by  the  noise, 
rushed  into  the  hall,  and  on  seeing  it  filled  with  armed 
men,  were  about  to  retreat,  when  they  were  instantly 
seized  and  detained.  A  scene  of  great  confusion  now  en- 
sued. The  women  screamed  and  cried  for  mercy,  while 
the  men  struggled  and  fought  with  their  captors.  Com- 
manding silence  at  length,  the  pursuivant  proclaimed  in 
the  King's  name  that  whoever  would  guide  him  to  the 
hiding-place  of  Father  Oldcorne,  a  Jesuit  priest,  whom  it 
was  known,  and  could  be  proved,  was  harbored  within 
the  mansion,  should  receive  a  free  pardon  and  reward  ; 
while  those  who  screened  him,  or  connived  at  his  conceal- 
ment, were  liable  to  fine,  imprisonment,  and  even  more 
severe  punishment.  Each  servant  was  then  questioned 
separately.  But,  though  all  were  more  or  less  rudely 
dealt  with,  no  information  could  be  elicited. 

Meanwhile,  Viviana  was  a  prey  to  the  most  intolerable 
anxiety.  Unable  to  leach  Father  Oldcorne  without  cross- 
ing the  hall,  which  she  did  not  dare  to  attempt,  she  gave 
him  up  for  lost ;  her  sole  hope  being  that,  on  hearing  the 
cries  of  the  domestics,  he  would  provide  for  his  own  safety- 


THE  SEARCH.  41 

Her  anxiety  was  still  farther  increased  when  the  pursui- 
vant, having  exhausted  his  patience  by  fruitless  interroga- 
tories, and  satisfied  his  malice  by  frightening  two  of  the 
females  into  fits,  departed  with  a  portion  of  his  band  to 
search  the  house,  leaving  the  rest  as  a  guard  over  the 
prisoners. 

Yiviana  then  felt  that,  if  she  would  save  Father  Old- 
corne,  the  attempt  must  be  made  without  a  moment's  de- 
lay, and  at  any  hazard.  Watching  her  opportunity,  when 
the  troopers  were  occupied, —  some  in  helping  themselves 
to  such  viands  and  liquors  as  they  could  lay  hands  upon, 
— some  in  searching  the  persons  of  the  prisoners  for  amu- 
lets and  relics, — while  others,  more  humane,  were  trying 
to  revive  the  swooning  women,  she  contrived  to  steal  un- 
perceived  across  the  lower  end  of  the  hall.  Having  gained 
the  passage,  she  found  to  her  horror  that  the  pursuivant 
and  his  band  were  already  within  the  star-chamber.  They 
were  sounding  the  walls  with  hammers  and  mallets,  and 
from  their  exclamations,  she  learnt  that  they  had  dis- 
covered the  retreat  behind  the  fireplace,  and  were  about 
to  break  it  open. 

"  We  have  him,"  roared  the  pursuivant,  in  a  voice  of 
triumph.     "  The  old  owl's  roost  is  here  !  " 

Viviana,  who  stood  at  the  door,  drew  in  her  breath, 
expecting  that  the  next  moment  would  inform  her  that 
the  priest  was  made  captive.  Instead  of  this,  she  was 
delighted  to  find,  from  the  oaths  of  rage  and  disappoint- 
ment uttered  by  the  troopers,  that  he  had  eluded  them. 

"  He  must  be  in  the  house,  at  all  events,"  growled  the 
pursuivant :  "  nor  is  it  long  since  he  quitted  his  hiding- 
place,  as  this  cushion  proves.  We  will  not  go  away 
without  him.  And  now,  let  us  proceed  to  the  upper 
chambers." 

Hearing  their  footsteps  approach,  Viviana  darted  off, 
and  quickly  ascending  the  principal  staircase,  entered  a 
long  corridor.  Uncertain  what  to  do,  she  was  about  to 
proceed  to  her  own  chamber,  and  bar  the  door,  when  she 
felt  her  arm  grasped  by  a  man.     With  difficulty  repress- 


42  GUY  FAWKES. 

ing  a  shriek,  she  strove  to  disengage  herself,  when  a 
whisper  told  her  it  was  the  priest. 

"  Heaven  be  praised !  "  cried  Viviana,  "  you  are  safe. 
How — how  did  you  escape  ?  " 

"  I  flew  upstairs  on  hearing  the  voices,"  rej)lied  Old- 
corne.     "  But  what  has  happened  to  the  steward  ?  " 

"  He  is  a  prisoner,"  replied  Viviana. 

"  All  then  is  lost,  unless  you  are  acquainted  with  the 
secret  panel  he  spoke  of  in  the  oratory,"  rejoined  Old- 
corne. 

"Alas!  father,  I  am  wholly  ignorant  of  it,"  she  an- 
swered. "  But,  come  with  me  into  my  chamber ;  they  will 
not  dare  to  invade  it." 

"  I  know  not  that,"  returned  the  priest,  despairingly. 
"  These  sacrilegious  villains  would  not  respoct  the  sanc- 
tity of  the  altar  itself." 

"  They  come  !  "  cried  Viviana,  as  lights  were  seen  at 
the  foot  of  the  stairs.  "  Take  my  hand — this  way, 
father." 

They  had  scarcely  gained  the  room,  and  fastened  the 
door,  when  the  pursuivant  and  his  attendants  appeared  in 
the  corridor.  Tlie  officer,  it  would  seem,  had  been  well 
instructed  where  to  search,  or  was  sufficiently  practised 
in  his  duty,  for  he  proceeded  at  once  to  several  hiding- 
places  in  the  different  chambers  which  he  visited.  In 
one  room  he  detected  a  secret  staircase  in  the  wall,  which 
he  mounted,  and  discovered  a  small  chapel  built  in  the 
roof.  Stripping  it  of  its  altar,  its  statue  of  the  Virgin,  its 
crucifix,  pix,  chalice,  and  other  consecrated  vessels,  he 
descended,  and  continued  his  search.  Viviana's  cliamber 
was  now  the  only  one  unvisited.  Trying  the  door,  and 
finding  it  locked,  he  tapped  against  it  with  his  wand. 

"  Who  knocks  ?  "  asked  the  maiden. 

"  A  state-messenger,"  was  the  reply.  "  I  demand  en- 
trance in  the  King's  name." 

"  You  cannot  have  it,"  she  replied,  "  It  is  my  sleeping 
chamber." 

*'  My  duty  allows  me  no  alternative,"  rejoined  the  pur«. 


THE  SEARCH.  43 

sulvant,  harshly.     "  If  you  will  not  admit  me  quietly,  I 
must  use  force." 

"  Do  you  know  to  whom  you  offer  this  rudeness  ?  "  re- 
turned Viviana.  "  I  am  the  daughter  of  Sir  William 
Radcliffe." 

"  I  know  it,"  replied  the  pursuivant ;  "  but  I  am  not  ex- 
ceeding my  authority.  I  hold  a  warrant  for  your  father's 
arrest.  And,  if  he  had  not  been  from  home,  I  should  have 
carried  him  to  prison  along  with  the  Jesuit  priest  whom, 
I  suspect,  is  concealed  within  your  chamber.  Ojjen  the 
door,  I  command  you  ;  and  do  not  hinder  me  in  the  exe- 
cution of  my  duty." 

As  no  answer  was  returned  to  the  application,  the  pur- 
suivant commanded  his  men  to  burst  open  the  door ;  and 
the  order  was  promptly  obeyed. 

The  chamber  was  empty. 

On  searching  it,  however,  the  pursuivant  found  a  door 
concealed  by  the  hangings  of  the  bed.  It  was  bolted  on 
the  other  side,  but  speedily  yielded  to  his  efforts.  Pass- 
ing through  it,  he  entered  upon  a  narrow  gallery,  at  the 
extremity  of  which  his  progress  was  stopped  by  another 
door,  likewise  fastened  on  the  further  side.  On  bursting 
it  open,  he  entered  a  small  oratory,  wainscoted  with  oak, 
and  lighted  by  an  oriel  window  filled  with  stained  glass, 
through  which  the  newly-risen  moon  was  pouring  its  full 
radiance,  and  discovered  the  object  of  his  search. 

"  Father  Oldcorne,  I  arrest  you  as  a  Jesuit  and  a 
traitor,"  shouted  the  pursuivant,  in  a  voice  of  exultation. 
"Seize  him  !  "  he  added,  calling  to  his  men. 

"  You  shall  not  take  him,"  cried  Viviana,  clinging  de- 
spairingly to  the  priest,  who  offered  no  resistance,  but 
clasped  a  crucifix  to  his  breast. 

"  Leave  go  your  hold,  young  mistress,"  rejoined  the 
pursuivant,  grasping  Oldcorne  by  the  collar  of  his  vest- 
ment, and  dragging  him  along ;  "  and  rest  thankful  that 
I  make  you  not,  also,  my  prisoner." 

"  Take  me  ;  but  spare  him  ! — in  mercy  spare  him  !  " 
shrieked  Viviana. 


44  GtJY  FAWKEg. 

"  Yon  solicit  mercy  from  one  who  knows  it  not,  daugh- 
ter," observed  the  priest.  "  Lead  on,  sir.  I  am  ready  to 
attend  you." 

"  Your  destination  is  the  New  Fleet,  father,"  retorted 
the  pursuivant,  in  a  tone  of  bitter  raillery  ;  "  unless  you 
prefer  the  cell  in  Radcliffe  Hall  lately  vacated  by  your 
saintly  predecessor,  Father  Woodroofe." 

"  Help  !     help !  "  shrieked  Viviana. 

"  You  may  spare  your  voice,  fair  lady,"  sneered  the 
pursuivant.  "  No  help  is  at  hand.  Your  servants  are  all 
prisoners." 

The  words  were  scarcely  uttered,  when  a  sliding  panel 
in  the  wall  flew  open,  and  Guy  Fawkes,  followed  by 
Humphrey  Chetham,  and  another  personage,  sprang 
through  the  aperture,  and  presented  a  petronel  at  the 
head  of  the  pursuivant. 


CHAT  MOSS.  45 


CHAPTER  V. 

CHAT  MOSS. 

The  pursuivant  was  taken  so  completely  unawares  by 
the  sudden  appearance  of  Guy  Fawkes  and  his  companions, 
that  he  made  no  attempt  at  resistance.  Nor  were  his  at- 
tendants less  confounded.  Before  they  recovered  from 
their  surprise,  Humphrey  Chetham  seized  Viviana  in  his 
arms,  and  darting  througli  the  panel,  called  to  the  priest 
to  follow  him.  Father  Oldcorne  was  about  to  comply, 
when  one  of  the  soldiers,  grasping  the  surcingle  at  his 
waist,  dragged  him  forcibly  backwards.  The  next  mo- 
ment, however,  he  was  set  free  by  Guy  Fawkes,  who, 
felling  the  man  to  the  ground,  and  interposing  himself 
between  the  priest  and  the  other  soldier,  enabled  the 
former  to  make  good  his  retreat.  This  done,  he  planted 
himself  in  front  of  the  panel,  and  with  a  petronel  in  each 
hand,  menaced  his  opponents. 

"  Fly  for  your  lives  ! "  he  shouted  in  a  loud  voice  to  the 
others.  "  Not  a  moment  is  to  be  lost.  I  have  taken 
greater  odds,  and  in  a  worse  cause,  and  have  not  been 
worsted.  Heed  me  not,  I  say.  I  will  defend  the  passage 
till  you  are  beyond  reach  of  danger.     Fly ! — fly  !  " 

"  After  them !  "  vociferated  the  pursuivant,  stamping 
with  rage  and  vexation ;" after  them  instantly!  Hew 
down  that  bold  traitor.  Show  him  no  quarter.  His  life 
is  forfeit  to  the  king.     Slay  him  as  you  would  a  dog  !  " 

But  the  men,  having  no  firearms,  were  so  much  in- 
timidated by  the  fierce  looks  of  Guy  Fawkes,  and  the 
deadly  weapons  he  pointed  at  their  heads,  that  they 
hesitated  to  obey  their  leader's  injunctions. 

"  Do  you  hear  what  I  say  to  you,  cravens  ?  "  roared  the 
pursuivant.    "  Cut  him  down  without  mercy." 


46  GUY  FAWKES. 

«  They  dare  not  move  a  footstep,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes, 
in  a  decisive  tone. 

"  Recreants  I  "  cried  tlie  pursuivant,  foaming  with  rage, 
*'  is  my  prey  to  be  snatclied  from  me  at  the  very  moment 
I  have  secured  it,  through  your  cowardice  ?  Obey  me 
instantly,  or,  as  Heaven  shall  judge  me,  I  will  denounce 
you  to  my  Lord  Derby  and  the  Commissioners  as  aiders 
and  abettors  in  Father  Oldcorne's  escape  ! — and  you  well 
know  what  your  punishment  will  be  if  I  do  so.  What ! 
— are  you  afraid  of  one  man  ?  " 

"  Our  pikes  are  no  match  for  his  petronels,"  observed 
the  foremost  soldier,  sullenly. 

"  They  are  not,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes ;  "  and  you  will 
do  well  not  to  compel  me  to  prove  the  truth  of  your  as- 
sertion. As  to  you,  Master  Pursuivant,"  he  continued, 
with  a  look  so  stern  that  the  other  quailed  before  it,  "  un- 
willing as  I  am  to  shed  blood,  I  shall  hold  your  life,  if 
I  am  compelled  to  take  it,  but  just  retribution  for  the  fate 
you  have  brought  upon  the  unfortunate  Elizabeth  Orton." 

"  Ha  !  "  exclaimed  the  pursuivant,  starting.  "  I  thought 
I  recognized  you.  You  are  the  soldier  in  the  Spanish 
garb  who  saved  that  false  prophetess  from  drowning.'' 

"I  saved  her  only  for  a  lingering  death,"  rejoined  Guy, 
Fawkes. 

"  I  know  it,"  retorted  the  pursuivant.  "  I  found  her 
dead  body  when  I  visited  her  cell  on  my  way  hither,  and 
gave  orders  to  have  it  interred  ^vithout  coffin  or  shroud 
in  that  part  of  the  burial-ground  of  the  Collegiate  Church 
in  Manchester  reserved  for  common  felons." 

"  I  know  not  what  stays  my  hand,"  rejoined  Guy 
Fawkes,  fiercely.  "  But  I  am  strongly  tempted  to  give 
you  a  grave  beside  her." 

"  I  will  put  your  daring  to  the  proof !  "  cried  the  pur- 
suivant, snatching  a  pike  from  one  of  his  followers,  and 
T)randishing  it  over  his  head.  "  Throw  down  your  arms, 
or  you  die  !  " 

"  Back !  "  exclaimed  Guy  Fawkes,  presenting  a  petronel 
at  him,  "  or  I  lodge  a  bullet  in  your  brain." 


CHAT  MOSS.  47 

"  Be  advised  by  me,  and  rush  not  on  certain  destruc- 
tion, good  Master  Pursuivant,"  said  tlie  foremost  soldier, 
plucking  his  mantle.  "  I  see  by  his  bloodthirsty  looks 
that  the  villain  is  in  earnest." 

"  I  hear  footsteps,"  cried  the  other  soldier ;  "  our  com- 
rades are  at  hand." 

«  Then  it  is  time  for  me  to  depart,"  cried  Guy  Fawkes, 
springing  through  the  secret  door,  and  closing  it  after 
him. 

"  Confusion  ! "  exclaimed  the  pursuivant ;  "  but  he  shall 
not  escape.     Break  open  the  panel." 

The  order  was  promptly  obeyed.  The  men  battered 
the  stout  oak  board,  which  was  of  great  thickness,  with 
their  pikes,  but  it  resisted  every  effort,  nor  was  it  until 
the  arrival  of  a  fresh  band  of  soldiers  with  lights,  mallets, 
chisels,  and  other  implements  suitable  to  the  purpose, 
that  it  could  be  forced  open.  This  accomplished,  the 
pursuivant,  commanding  his  attendants  to  follow  him, 
dashed  through  the  aperture.  As  they  proceeded  singly 
along  the  narrow  passage,  the  roof  became  so  low  that 
they  were  compelled  to  adopt  a  stooping  posture.  In 
this  manner  they  hurried  on  until  their  further  progress 
was  stopped  by  a  massive  stone  door,  which  appeared  to 
descend  from  above  by  some  hidden  contrivance,  no  trace 
of  bolt  or  other  fastening  being  discernible.  The  flag 
fitted  closely  in  channels  in  the  walls,  and  had  all  the  ap- 
pearance of  solid  masonry.  After  examining  this  obstacle 
for  a  moment,  the  pursuivant  was  convinced  that  any  at- 
tempt to  move  it  would  be  impracticable,  and  muttering 
a  deep  execration,  he  gave  the  word  to  return. 

"From  the  course  it  appears  to  take,"  he  observed, 
"  this  passage  must  communicate  with  the  garden, — per- 
haps with  the  further  side  of  the  moat.  We  may  yet 
secure  them,  if  we  use  despatch." 

To  return  to  the  fugitives.  On  arriving  at  the  point 
where  the  stone  door  was  situated,  which  he  discovered 
by  the  channels  in  the  Avail  above-mentioned,  Guy  Fawkes 
searched  for  an  iron  ring,  and,  having  found  it,  drew  it 


48  GUI'  FAWKES. 

towards  him,  and  the  ponderous  flag  sloAvly  dropped  into 
its  place.  He  then  groped  his  way  cautiously  along  in  the 
dark,  until  his  foot  encountered  the  to^D  of  a  ladder,  down 
which  he  crept,  and  landed  on  the  floor  of  a  damp  deep 
vault.  Having  taken  the  precaution  to  remove  the  ladder, 
he  hastened  onwards  for  about  fifty  yards,  when  he  came 
to  a  steep  flight  of  stone  steps,  distinguishahle  hy  a 
feeble  glimmer  of  light  from  above,  and  mounting  them, 
emerged  through  an  open  trap-door  into  a  small  building 
situated  at  the  western  side  of  the  moat,  where,  to  his 
surprise  and  disaj)pointment,  he  found  the  other  fugitives. 

"How  comes  it  you  are  here?  "  he  exclaimed,  in  a  re- 
proachful tone.  "  I  kept  the  wolves  at  bay  thus  long,  to 
enable  you  to  make  good  your  retreat." 

"  Miss  Radcliffe  is  too  weak  to  move,"  replied  Hum- 
phrey Chetham  ;  "  and  I  could  not  persuade  Father  Old- 
corne  to  leave  her." 

"  I  care  not  what  becomes  of  me,"  said  the  priest.  "  The 
sooner  my  painful  race  is  run  the  better.  But  I  cannot — 
will  not  abandon  my  dear  charge  thus." 

"Think  not  of  me,  father,  I  implore  you,"  rejoined 
Viviana,  who  had  sunk  overpowered  with  terror  and  ex- 
haustion. "  I  shall  be  better  soon.  Master  Chetham,  I 
am  assured,  will  remain  with  me  till  our  enemies  have 
departed,  and  I  will  then  return  to  the  hall." 

"Command  me  as  you  please.  Miss  Radcliffe,"  replied 
Humphrey  Chetham,  "  You  have  but  to  express  a  wish 
to  insure  its  fulfilment  on  my  part." 

"  Oh  !  that  you  had  suffered  Mr.  Catesby  to  tarry  with 
us  till  the  morning,  as  he  himself  proposed,  dear  daugh 
ter,"  observed  the  priest,  turning  to  Viviana. 

"  Has  Catesby  been  here  ?  "  inquired  Guy  Fawkes,  with 
a  look  of  astonishment. 

"He  has,"  replied  Oldcorne.  "He  came  to  warn  us 
that  the  hall  would  be  this  night  searched  by  the  ofiicers 
of  state  ;  and  he  also  brought  word  that  a  Avarrant  had 
been  issued  by  the  Privy  Council  fof  the  arrest  of  Sir 
>YiUiam  Radcliffe." 


CHAT  MOSS.  49 

"  "Where  is  he  now  ?  "  demanded  Fawkes,  hastily. 

"  On  the  way  to  Chester,  whither  he  departed  in  all 
haste,  at  Viviana's  urgent  request,  to  apprise  her  father  of 
his  danger,"  rejoined  the  priest. 

"  This  is  strange ! "  muttered  Guy  Fawkes.  "  Catesby 
here,  and  I  not  know  it !  " 

"  He  had  a  secret  motive  for  his  visit,  my  son,"  whis- 
pered Oldconie,  signilicantly. 

"  So  I  concluded,  father,"  replied  Fawkes,  in  the  same 
tone. 

"  Viviana  Radcliffe,"  murmured  Humphrey  Chetham, 
in  low  and  tender  accents,  "  something  tells  me  that  this 
moment  will  decide  my  future  fate.  Emboldened  by  the 
mysterious  manner  in  which  we  have  been  brought  to- 
gether, and  you,  as  it  were,  have  been  thrown  upon  my 
protection,  I  venture  to  declare  the  passion  I  have  long 
indulged  for  you ; — a  passion  which,  though  deep  and 
fervent  as  ever  agitated  human  bosom,  has  hitherto,  from 
the  difference  of  our  rank,  and  yet  more  from  the  differ- 
ence of  our  religious  opinions,  been  without  hope.  What 
has  just  occurred, — added  to  the  peril  in  which  your 
worthy  father  stands,  and  the  difficulties  in  which  you 
yourself  will  necessarily  be  involved, — makes  me  cast 
aside  all  misgiving,  and  perhaps  with  too  much  presump- 
tion, but  with  a  confident  belief  that  the  sincerity  of  my 
love  renders  me  not  wholly  undeserving  of  your  regard, 
earnestly  solicit  you  to  give  me  a  husband's  right  to  watch 
over  and  defend  you." 

Viviana  was  silent.  But  even  by  the  imperfect  light 
the  young  merchant  could  discern  that  her  cheek  was 
covered  with  blushes. 

"  Your  answer  ?  "  he  cried,  taking  her  hand. 

"  You  must  take  it  from  my  lips.  Master  Chetham," 
interposed  the  priest ;  "  Viviana  Radcliffe  never  can  be 
yours." 

"  Be  pleased  to  let  her  speak  for  herself,  reverend  sir," 
rejoined  the  young  merchant,  angrily. 

"  I  represent  her  father,  and  have  acquainted  you  with 


50  OUY  FAWKES. 

his  determination,"  rejoined  the  priest,  "Appeal  to  her, 
and  she  will  confirm  my  words." 

«  Viviana,  is  this  true  ?  "  asked  Chetham.  «  Does  your 
father  object  to  your  union  with  me  ?  " 

Viviana  answered  by  a  deep  sigh,  and  gently  withdrew 
her  hand  from  the  young  merchant's  grasp. 

«  Then  there  is  no  hope  for  me  ?  "  cried  Chetham. 

"  Alas  !  no,"  replied  Viviana  ;  "  nor  for  me — of  earthly 
affection.     I  am  already  dead  to  the  world." 

"  How  so  ?  "  he  asked. 

"I  am  about  to  vow  myself  to  Heaven,"  she  answered. 

"  Viviana  !  "  exclaimed  the  young  man,  throwing  him- 
self at  her  feet,  "  reflect !— oh !  reflect,  before  you  take 
this  fatal — this  irrevocable  step." 

"  Rise,  sir,"  interposed  the  priest,  sternly  ;  "  you  plead 
in  vain.  Sir  William  Radcliffe  will  never  wed  his 
daughter  to  a  heretic.  In  his  name  I  command  you  to 
desist  from  further  solicitation." 

"  I  obey,"  replied  Chetham,  rising. 

"  We  lose  time  here,"  observed  Guy  Fawkes,  who  had 
been  lost  for  a  moment  in  reflection.  "  I  will  undertake 
to  provide  for  your  safety,  father.  But,  what  must  be 
done  with  Viviana  ?  She  cannot  be  left  here.  And  her 
return  to  the  hall  would  be  attended  with  danger." 

"  I  will  not  return  till  the  miscreants  have  quitted  it," 
said  Viviana. 

"Their  departure  is  uncertain,"  replied  Fawkes. 
"  When  they  are  balked  of  their  prey  they  sometimes 
haunt  a  dwelling  for  weeks." 

"  What  will  become  of  me  ?  "  cried  Viviana,  distract- 
edly. 

"  It  were  vain,  I  fear,  to  entreat  you  to  accept  an 
asylum  with  my  father  at  Clayton  Hall,  or  at  my  own 
residence  at  Crumpsall,"  said  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  Your  offer  is  most  kind,  sir,"  replied  Oldcorne,  "  and 
is  duly  appreciated.  But  Viviana  will  see  the  propriety 
— on  every  account — of  declining  it." 

"I  do;  I  do,"  she  acquiesced. 


CHAT  MOSS.  51 

"  Will  you  entrust  yourself  to  my  protection  ? " 
observed  Fawkes. 

"Willingly,"  replied  the  priest,  answering  for  her. 
"  We  shall  find  some  place  of  refuge,"  he  added,  turning 
to  Viviana,  "where  your  father  can  join  us,  and  where 
we  can  remain  concealed  till  this  storm  has  blown  over." 

"  I  know  many  such,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  "  both  in  this 
county  and  in  Yorkshire,  and  will  guide  you  to  one." 

"  My  horses  are  at  your  service,"  said  Humphrey 
Chetham.  "They  are  tied  beneath  the  trees  in  the 
avenue.  My  servant  shall  bring  them  to  the  door,"  and, 
turning  to  his  attendant,  he  gave  him  directions  to  that 
effect.  "  I  was  riding  hither  an  hour  before  midnight,'* 
he  continued,  addressing  Viviana,  "  to  offer  you  assistance, 
having  accidentally  heard  the  pursuivant  mention  his 
meditated  visit  to  Ordsall  Hall,  to  one  of  his  followers, 
when,  as  I  approached  the  gates,  this  person,"  pointing  to 
Guy  Fawkes,  "  crossed  my  path,  and,  seizing  the  bridle 
of  my  steed,  demanded  whether  I  was  a  friend  to  Sir 
William  Radcliffe.  I  answered  in  the  affirmative,  and 
desired  to  know  the  motive  of  his  inquiry.  He  then 
told  me  that  the  house  was  invested  by  a  numerous  band 
of  armed  men,  who  had  crossed  the  moat  by  means  of  a 
plank,  and  were  at  that  moment  concealed  within  the 
garden.  This  intelligence,  besides  filling  me  with  alarm, 
disconcerted  all  my  plans,  as  I  hoped  to  have  been  before- 
hand with  them — their  inquisitorial  searches  being 
generally  made  at  a  late  hour,  when  all  the  inmates  of  a 
house  intended  to  be  surprised  are  certain  to  have  retired 
to  rest.  While  I  was  bitterly  reproaching  myself  for  mj^ 
dilatoriness,  and  considering  what  course  it  would  be  best 
to  pursue,  my  servant,  Martin  Heydocke,  son  to  yotu- 
father's  old  steward,  who  had  ridden  up  at  the  stranger's 
approach,  informed  me  that  he  was  acquainted  with  a 
secret  passage  communicating  beneath  the  moat  with  the 
hall.  Upon  this,  I  dismounted ;  and  fastening  my  horse 
to  a  tree,  ordered  him  to  lead  me  to  it  without  an  instant's 
delay.     The  stranger,  who  gave  his  name  as  Guy  Fawkes, 


52  GUY  FAWKES. 

and  professed  himself  a  stanch  Catholic,  and  a  friend  of 
Father  Oldcorne,  begged  permission  to  join  us,  in  a  tone 
so  earnest,  that  I  at  once  acceded  to  his  request.  We 
tlien  proceeded  to  this  building,  and  after  some  search 
discovered  the  trap-door.  Much  time  was  lost,  owing  to 
our  being  unprovided  with  lights,  in  the  subterranean 
passage,  and  it  was  more  than  two  hours  before  we  could 
find  the  ring  connected  with  the  stone  door,  the  mystery 
of  which  Martin  explained  to  us.  This  delay  we  feared 
would  render  our  scheme  abortive,  when,  just  as  we 
reached  the  panel,  we  heard  your  shrieks.  The  spring 
was  touched,  and — you  know  the  rest." 

"  And  shall  never  forget  it,"  replied  Viviana,  in  a  tone 
of  the  deepest  gratitude. 

At  this  juncture,  the  tramp  of  horses  was  heard  at  the 
door ;  and  the  next  moment  it  was  thrown  open  by  the 
younger  Heydocke,  who,  with  a  look,  and  in  a  voice  of  the 
utmost  terror,  exclaimed,  "  They  are  coming ! — they  are 
coming  !  " 

"  The  pursuivant  ?  "  cried  Guy  Fawkes. 

"  Not  him  alone,  but  the  whole  gang,"  rejoined  Martin. 
"  Some  of  them  are  lowering  tlie  drawbridge,  while 
others  are  crossing  the  plank.  Several  are  on  horseback, 
and  I  think  I  discern  the  pursuivant  amongst  the  number. 
They  have  seen  me,  and  are  hurrying  in  this  direction." 

As  he  spoke,  a  loud  shout  corroborated  his  statement. 

"  We  are  lost ! "  exclaimed  Oldcorne. 

"Do  not  despair,  father,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes. 
"Heaven  will  not  abandon  its  faithful  servants.  The 
Lord  will  deliver  us  out  of  the  hands  of  these  Amalekites." 

"  To  horse,  then,  if  you  would  indeed  avoid  them," 
urged  Humphrey  Chetham.  "  The  shouts  grow  louder 
Your  enemies  are  fast  approaching." 

"  Viviana,"  said  Guy  Fawkes,  "  are  you  willing  to  fly 
with  us?" 

"  I  will  do  anything  rather  than  be  left  to  those  hor- 
rible men,"  she  answered. 

Guy  Fawkes  then  raised  her  in  his  arms,  and  sprang 


cMat  bioss.  53 

with  his  lovely  burthen  upon  the  nearest  charger.  His 
example  was  quickly  followed  by  Humphrey  Chetham, 
who,  vaulting  on  the  other  horse,  assisted  the  priest  to 
mount  behind  him.  While  this  took  place,  Martin  Hey- 
docke  darted  into  the  shed,  and  instantly  bolted  the  door. 

It  was  a  beautiful  moonlight  night,  almost  as  bright  as 
day,  and  the  movements  of  each  party  were  fully  revealed 
to  the  other.  Guy  Fawkes  perceived  at  a  glance  that 
they  were  surrounded  ;  and,  though  he  had  no  fears  for 
himself,  he  was  full  of  apprehension  for  the  safety  of  his 
companion.  While  he  was  debating  with  himself  as  to 
the  course  it  would  be  best  to  pursue,  Humphrey  Chet- 
ham shouted  to  him  to  turn  to  the  left,  and  started  off  in 
that  direction.  Grasping  his  fair  charge,  whom  he  had 
placed  before  him  on  the  saddle,  firmly  with  his  left  arm, 
and  wrapping  her  in  his  ample  cloak,  Guy  Fawkes  drew 
his  sword,  and  striking  spurs  into  his  steed,  followed  in 
the  same  track. 

The  little  fabric  which  had  afforded  them  temporary 
shelter,  it  has  already  been  mentioned,  was  situated  on 
the  west  of  the  hall,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  moat, 
and  was  screened  from  observation  by  a  small  shrubbery. 
No  sooner  did  the  fugitives  emerge  from  this  cover,  than 
loud  outcries  were  raised  by  their  antagonists,  and  every 
effort  was  made  to  intercept  them.  On  the  right,  gallop- 
ing towards  them  on  a  light  but  swift  courser,  taken  from 
Sir  William  Radcliffe's  stables,  came  the  pursuivant, 
attended  by  half-a-dozen  troopers,  who  had  accommodated 
themselves  with  horses  in  the  same  manner  as  their 
leader.  Between  them  and  the  road  leading  to  Man- 
chester, were  stationed  several  armed  men  on  foot.  At 
the  rear,  voices  proclaimed  that  others  were  in  full  pur- 
suit ;  while  in  front,  a  fourth  detachment  menaced  them 
with  their  pikes.  Thus  beset  on  all  sides,  it  seemed 
scarcely  possible  to  escape.  Nothing  daunted,  however, 
by  the  threats  and  vociferations  with  which  they  were 
received,  the  two  horsemen  boldly  charged  this  party. 
The  encounter  was  instantaneous.     Guy  Fawkes  warded 


64  GUY  FAWKES. 

off  a  blow,  which,  if  it  had  taken  effect,  must  have  robbed 
Viviana  of  life,  and  struck  down  the  fellow  who  aimed 
it.  At  the  same  moment,  his  career  was  checked  by  an- 
other assailant,  who,  catching  his  bridle  with  the  hook  of 
his  pike,  command  him  to  surrender.  Fawkes  replied  by 
cleaving  the  man's  staff  asunder,  and,  having  thus  disem- 
barrassed himself,  was  about  to  pursue  his  course,  when 
he  perceived  that  Humphrey  Chetham  was  in  innninent 
danger  from  a  couple  of  soldiers  who  had  stopped  him, 
and  were  trying  to  unhorse  his  companion.  Riding  up 
to  them,  Guy  Fawkes,  by  a  vigorous  and  well-directed 
attack,  speedily  drove  them  off  ;  and  the  fugitives,  being 
now  unimpeded,  were  enabled  to  continue  their  career. 

The  foregoing  occurrences  were  witnessed  by  the  pur- 
suivant with  the  utmost  rage  and  vexation.  Pouring 
forth  a  torrent  of  threats  and  imprecations,  he  swore  he 
would  never  rest  till  he  had  secured  them,  and  urging 
his  courser  to  its  utmost  siaeed,  commanded  his  men  to 
give  chase. 

Skirting  a  sluice,  communicating  between  the  Irwell 
and  the  moat,  Humphrey  Chetham,  who,  as  better  ac- 
quainted with  the  country  than  his  companions,  took  the 
lead,  proceeded  along  its  edge  for  about  a  hundred  j^ards, 
when  he  suddenly  struck  across  a  narrow  bridge  covered 
with  sod,  and  entered  the  open  fields.  Hitherto  Viviana 
had  remained  silent.  Though  fully  aware  of  the  risk  she 
had  run,  she  gave  no  sign  of  alarm — not  even  when  the 
blow  was  aimed  against  her  life  ;  and  it  was  only  on  con- 
ceiving the  danger  in  some  degree  past,  that  she  ventured 
to  express  her  gratitude. 

"You  have  displayed  so  much  courage,"  said  Guy 
Fawkes,  in  answer  to  her  speech,  "  that  it  would  be  un- 
pardonable to  deceive  you.  Our  foes  are  too  near  us,  and 
too  well  mounted,  to  make  it  by  any  means  certain  we 
shall  escape  them, — unless  by  stratagem." 

"  They  are  within  a  hundred  yards  of  us,"  cried  Hum- 
phrey Chetham,  glancing  fearfully  backwards.  "  They 
have  possessed  themselves  of  your  father's  fleetest  horses  j 


CiiAt  MOSS.  55 

and,  if  I  mistake  not,  the  rascally  pursuivant  has  secured 
your  favorite  barb." 

"  My  gentle  Zayda !  "  exclaimed  Viviana,  "  Then  in- 
deed we  are  lost.     She  has  not  her  match  for  speed." 

"  If  she  bring  her  rider  to  us  alone,  she  will  do  us 
good  service,"  observed  Guy  Fawkes,  significantly. 

The  same  notion,  almost  at  the  same  moment,  occurred 
to  the  pursuivant.  Having  witnessed  the  prowess  dis- 
played by  Guy  Fawkes  in  his  recent  attack  on  the  soldiers, 
he  felt  no  disposition  to  encounter  so  formidable  an  op- 
ponent single-handed  ;  and  finding  that  the  high-mettled 
barb  on  which  he  was  mounted,  by  its  superior  speed  and 
fiery  temper,  would  inevitably  place  him  in  such  a  dilem- 
ma, he  prudently  resolved  to  halt,  and  exchange  it  for  a 
more  manageable  steed. 

This  delay  was  of  great  service  to  the  fugitives,  and 
enabled  them  to  get  considerably  ahead.  They  had  now 
gained  a  narrow  lane,  and,  tracking  it,  speedily  reached 
the  rocky  banks  of  the  Irwell.  Galloping  along  a  foot- 
path that  followed  the  serpentine  course  of  the  stream 
for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  they  arrived  at  a  spot  marked  by 
a  bed  of  osiers,  where  Humphrey  Chetham  informed  them 
there  was  a  ford. 

Accordingly,  they  plunged  into  the  river,  and  while 
stemming  the  current,  which  here  ran  with  great  swift- 
ness, and  rose  up  above  the  saddles,  the  neigliing  of  a 
steed  was  heard  from  the  bank  they  had  quitted.  Turn- 
ing at  the  sound,  Viviana  beheld  her  favorite  courser 
on  the  summit  of  a  high  rock.  The  soldier  to  whom 
Zayda  was  entrusted  had  speedily,  as  the  pursuivant 
foresaw,  distanced  his  companions,  and  chose  this  elevated 
position  to  take  sure  aim  at  Guy  Fawkes,  against  whom 
he  was  now  leveling  a  caliver.  The  next  moment  a 
bullet  struck  against  his  brigandine,  but  without  doing 
him  any  injury.  The  soldier,  however,  did  not  escape  so 
liglitly.  Startled  by  the  discharge,  the  fiery  barb  leaped 
from  the  precipice  into  the  river,  and  throwing  her  rider, 
who  was  borne  off  by  the  rapid  stream,  swam  towards 


56  GtTY  FAWKESi. 

the  opposite  bank,  which  she  reached  just  as  the  others 
were  landing.  At  the  sound  of  her  mistress's  voice  she 
stood  still,  and  allowed  Humphrey  Chetham  to  lay  hold 
of  her  bridle  ;  and  Viviana  declaring  she  was  able  to 
mount  her,  Guy  Fawkes,  who  felt  that  such  an  arrange- 
ment was  most  likely  to  conduce  to  her  safety,  and  who 
was,  moreover,  inclined  to  view  the  occurrence  as  a  pro- 
vidential interference  in  their  behalf,  immediately  assisted 
her  into  the  saddle. 

Before  this  transfer  could  be  effected,  the  pursuivant 
and  his  attendants  had  begun  to  ford  the  stream.  The 
former  had  witnessed  the  accident  that  had  befallen  the 
soldier  from  a  short  distance ;  and,  while  he  affected  to 
deplore  it,  internally  congratulated  himself  on  his  pru- 
dence and  foresight.  But  he  was  by  no  means  so  well  sat- 
isfied when  he  saw  how  it  served  to  benefit  the  fugitives. 

"  That  unlucky  beast !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  Some  fiend 
must  have  prompted  me  to  bring  her  out  of  the  stable. 
Would  she  had  drowned  herself  instead  of  poor  Dickon 
Duckesbury,  whom  she  hath  sent  to  feed  the  fishes  ! 
With  her  aid.  Miss  Radcliffe  will  doubtless  escape.  No 
matter.  If  I  secure  Father  Oldcorne,  and  that  black- 
visaged  trooper  in  the  Spanish  garb,  who,  I'll  be  sworn, 
is  a  secret  intelligencer  of  the  pope,  if  not  of  the  devil,  I 
shall  be  well  contented.  I'll  hang  them  both  on  a  gibbet 
higher  than  Ilaman's." 

And  muttermg  other  threats  to  the  same  effect,  he 
picked  his  way  to  the  opposite  shore.  Long  before  he 
reached  it,  the  fugitives  had  disappeared ;  but  on  climb- 
ing the  bank,  he  beheld  them  galloping  swiftly  across  a 
well- wooded  district  steeped  in  moonlight,  and  spread  out 
before  his  view,  and  inflamed  by  the  sight  he  shouted  to 
his  attendants,  and  once  more  started  in  pursuit. 

Cheered  by  the  fortunate  incident  above  related,  which, 
in  presenting  her  with  her  oavu  steed  in  a  manner  so  sur- 
prising and  unexpected,  seemed  almost  to  give  her  assur- 
ance of  deliverance,  Viviana,  inspirited  by  the  exercise,  felt 
her  strength  and  spirits  rapidly  revive.    At  her  side  rodo 


CHAT  MOSS.  57 

Guy  Fawkes,  who  ever  and  anon  cast  an  anxious  look  be- 
hind, to  ascertain  the  distance  of  their  pursuers,  but  suf- 
fered no  exclamation  to  escape  his  lips.  Indeed,  throughout 
the  whole  affair,  he  maintained  the  reserve  belonging  to  his 
somber  and  taciturn  character,  and  neither  questioned 
Humphrey  Chetham  as  to  where  he  was  leading  them, 
nor  proposed  any  deviation  from  the  route  he  had  appar- 
ently chosen.  To  such  remarks  as  were  addressed  to 
him,  Fawkes  answered  in  monosyllables ;  and  it  was  only 
when  occasion  required,  that  he  volunteered  any  observa- 
tion or  advice.  He  seemed  to  surrender  himself  to  chance. 
And  perhaps,  if  his  bosom  could  have  been  examined,  it 
would  have  been  found  that  he  considered  himself  a  mere 
puppet  in  the  hands  of  destiny. 

In  other  and  calmer  seasons,  he  might  have  dwelt  with 
rapture  on  the  beautiful  and  varied  country  through 
which  they  were  speeding,  and  which  from  every  knoll 
they  mounted,  every  slope  they  descended,  every  glade 
they  threaded,  intricacy  pierced,  or  tangled  dell  tracked, 
presented  new  and  increasing  attractions.  This  charming 
district,  since  formed  into  a  park  by  the  Traffords,  from 
whom  it  derives  its  present  designation,  was  at  tliis  time, 
— though  part  of  the  domain  of  that  ancient  family, — 
wholly  unenclosed.  Old  Trafford  Hall  lies  (for  it  is  still 
in  existence,)  more  than  a  mile  nearer  to  Manchester,  a 
little  to  the  east  of  Ordsall  Hall ;  but  the  modern  residence 
of  the  family  is  situated  in  the  midst  of  the  lovely  region 
through  which  the  fugitives  were  riding. 

But,  though  the  charms  of  the  scene,  heightened  by  the 
gentle  medium  through  which  they  were  viewed,  produced 
little  effect  upon  the  iron  nature  of  Guy  Fawkes,  they 
were  not  without  influence  on  his  companions,  especially 
Viviana.  Soothed  by  the  stillness  of  all  around  her,  she 
almost  forgot  her  danger;  and  surrendering  herself  to 
the  dreamy  enjoyment  generally  experienced  in  contem- 
plating such  a  scene  at  such  an  hour,  suffered  her  gaze  to 
wander  over  the  fair  woody  landscape  before  her,  till  it 
was  lost  in  the  distant  moonlit  wolds. 


58  GUY  FAWKES. 

From  the  train  of  thought  naturally  awakened  by  this 
spectacle,  she  was  roused  by  the  shouts  of  the  pursuers ; 
and,  glancing  timorously  behind  her,  beheld  them  hurry- 
ing swiftly  along  the  valley  they  had  just  quitted.  From 
the  rapidity  with  which  they  were  advancing,  it  was 
evident  they  were  gaining  upon  them,  and  she  was  about 
to  urge  her  courser  to  greater  speed,  when  Humphrey 
Chetham  laid  his  hand  upon  the  rein  to  check  her. 

«  Reserve  yourself  till  we  gain  the  brow  of  this  hill,"  he 
remarked;  "and  then »put  Zay da  to  her  mettle.  We  are 
not  far  from  our  destination." 

"  Indeed  ! "  exclaimed  Viviana.     "  Where  is  it  ?  " 

"  I  will  show  it  to  you  presently,"  he  answered. 

Arrived  at  the  summit  of  the  high  ground,  which  they 
had  been  for  some  time  gradually  ascending,  the  young 
merchant  pointed  out  a  vast  boggy  tract,  about  two  miles 
off,  in  the  vale  beneath  them. 

"  That  is  our  destination,"  he  said. 

"  Did  I  not  hold  it  impossible  you  could  trifle  with  me 
at  such  a  time  as  this,  I  should  say  you  were  jesting," 
rejoined  Viviana.  "The  place  you  indicate,  unless  I 
mistake  you,  is  Chat  Moss,  the  largest  and  most  dangerous 
marsh  in  Lancashire." 

«  You  do  not  mistake  me,  neither  am  I  jesting,  Viviana," 
replied  the  young  merchant,  gravely.  "  Chat  Moss  is  the 
mark  at  which  I  aim." 

"  If  we  are  to  cross  it,  we  shall  need  a  Will-o'-the-wisp 
to  guide  us,  and  some  friendly  elf  to  make  firm  the 
ground  beneath  our  steeds,"  rejoined  Viviana,  in  a 
slightly-sarcastic  tone. 

"  Trust  to  me  and  you  shall  traverse  it  in  safety,"  re- 
sumed Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  I  would  sooner  trust  myself  to  the  pursuivant  and 
his  band,  than  venture  upon  its  treacherous  surface,"  she 
replied. 

"  How  is  this,  young  sir  ?  '*  interposed  Guy  Fawkes, 
sternly.  "Is  it  from  heedlessness  or  rashness  that  you 
are  about  to  expose  us  to  this  new  danger  ? — which,  if 


CHAT  MOSS.  50 

Viviana  judges  correctly,  and  my  own  experience  of  such 
places  inclines  me  to  think  she  does  so, — is  greater  than 
that  which  now  besets  us." 

"  If  there  is  any  danger  I  shall  be  the  first  to  encounter 
it,  for  I  propose  to  act  as  your  guide,"  returned  Humphrey 
Chetham,  in  an  offended  tone.  "But  the  treacherous 
character  of  the  marsh  constitutes  our  safety.  I  am 
acquainted  with  a  narrow  path  across  it,  from  which  the 
deviation  of  a  foot  will  bring  certain  death.  If  our  pur- 
suers attempt  to  follow  us  their  destruction  is  inevitable. 
Viviana  may  rest  assured  I  would  not  needlessly  expose 
so  dear  a  life  as  hers.  But  it  is  our  best  chance  of 
safety." 

"  Humphrey  Chetham  is  in  the  right,"  observed  the 
priest.  "  I  have  heard  of  the  path  he  describes  ;  and  if 
he  can  guide  us  along  it,  we  shall  effectually  baffle  our 
enemies." 

"  I  cry  you  mercy,  sir,"  said  Viviana.  "  I  did  not  ap- 
prehend your  meaning.  But  I  now  thankfully  resign 
myself  to  your  care." 

«  Forward,  then,"  cried  the  young  merchant.  And  they 
dashed  swiftly  do^vn  the  declivity. 

Chat  Moss,  towards  which  they  were  hastening,  though 
now  drained,  in  part  cultivated,  and  traversed  by  the 
busiest  and  most-frequented  railroad  in  England,  or  the 
world,  was,  within  the  recollection  of  many  of  the  young- 
est of  the  present  generation,  a  dreary  and  almost  im- 
passable waste.  Surveyed  from  the  heights  of  Dunham, 
whence  the  writer  has  often  gazed  upon  it,  envying  the 
plover  her  wing  to  skim  over  its  broad  expanse,  it  pre- 
sented with  its  black  boggy  soil,  striped  like  a  motley 
garment,  with  patches  of  gray,  taw^ly,  and  dunnish  red, 
a  singular  and  mysterious  appearance.  Conjecture  fixes 
this  morass  as  the  site  of  a  vast  forest,  whose  immemorial- 
and  Druid-haunted  groves  were  burnt  by  the  Roman  in- 
vaders ;  and  seeks  to  account  for  its  present  condition  by 
supposing  that  the  charred  trees — still  frequently  found 
within  its  depths — being  left  where  the  conflagration  had 


60  GUY  FAWKES. 

placed  them,  hart  choked  up  its  brooks  and  springs,  and 
so  reduced  it  to  a  general  swamp.  Drayton,  however,  in 
the  following  lines  from  the  Faerie  Land,  places  its  origin 
as  far  back  as  the  Deluge : — 

-Great  Chat  Moss  at  my  fall 


Lies  full  of  turf  and  marl,  her  unctuous  mineral ; 
And  blocks  as  black  as  pitch,  with  boring  augers  found, 
There  at  the  General  Flood  supposed  to  be  drown'd. 

But  the  former  hypothesis  appears  the  more  probable. 
A  curious  description  of  Chat  Moss,  as  it  appeared  at  the 
time  of  this  history,  is  furnished  by  Camden,  who  terms 
it,  "  a  swampy  tract  of  great  extent,  a  considerable  part  of 
which  was  carried  off  in  the  last  age  by  swollen  rivers 
with  great  danger,  whereby  the  rivers  were  infected,  and 
great  quantities  of  fish  died.  Instead  thereof  is  now  a 
valley  watered  by  a  small  stream  ;  and  many  trees  were 
discovered  thrown  down,  and  lying  flat,  so  that  one  may 
suppose  when  the  ground  lay  neglected,  and  the  waste 
water  of  brooks  was  not  drained  off  into  the  open  valleys, 
or  their  courses  stopped  by  neglect  or  desolation,  all  the 
lower  grounds  were  turned  into  swamps,  (which  we  call 
mosses,)  or  into  pools.  If  this  was  the  case,  no  wonder  so 
many  trees  are  found  covered,  and,  as  it  were,  buried  in 
such  places  all  over  England,  but  especially  here.  For 
the  roots  being  loosened  by  too  excessive  wet,  they  must 
necessarily  fall  down  and  sink  in  so  soft  a  soil.  The 
people  hereabouts  search  for  them  with  poles  and  spits, 
and  after  marking  the  place,  dig  them  up  and  use  them 
for  firing,  for  they  are  like  torches,  equally  fit  to  burn 
and  to  give  light,  which  is  probably  owing  to  the  bitumi- 
nous earth  that  surrounds  them,  whence  the  common 
people  suppose  them  firs,  though  Csesar  denies  that  there 
were  such  trees  in  Britain." 

But,  though  vast  masses  of  the  bog  had  been  carried 
off  by  the  Irwell  and  the  Mersey,  as  related  by  Camden, 
the  general  appearance  of  the  waste, — with  the  exception 
of  the  valley  and  the  small  stream, — was  much  the  same 


CHAT  MOSS.  61 

as  it  continued  to  our  own  time.  Its  surface  was  more 
broken  and  irregular,  and  black  gaping  chasms  and  pits 
filled  with  water  and  slime  as  dark-colored  as  the  turf 
whence  it  flowed,  pointed  out  the  spots  where  the  swollen 
and  heaving  swamp  had  burst  its  bondage.  Narrow 
paths,  known  only  to  the  poor  turf-cutters  and  other 
laborers  who  dwelt  upon  its  borders,  and  gathered  fuel 
with  poles  and  spits  in  the  manner  above  described,  in- 
tersected it  at  various  points.  But  as  they  led  in  many 
cases  to  dangerous  and  deep  gulfs,  to  dismal  quagmires 
and  fathomless  pits ;  and,  moreover,  as  the  slightest  de- 
parture from  the  proper  track  would  have  whelmed  the 
traveler  in  an  oozy  bed,  from  which,  as  from  a  quicksand, 
he  would  have  vainly  striven  to  extricate  himself, — it  was 
never  crossed  without  a  guide,  except  by  those  familiar 
with  its  perilous  courses.  One  painful  circumstance  con- 
nected with  the  history  of  Chat  Moss  remains  to  be  re- 
corded— namely,  that  the  attempt  made  to  cultivate  it  by 
the  great  historian  Roscoe, — an  attempt  since  carried  out, 
as  has  already  been  shown,  with  complete  success, — ended 
in  a  result  ruinous  to  the  fortunes  of  that  highly-gifted 
person,  who,  up  to  the  period  of  this  luckless  undertaking, 
was  as  prosperous  as  he  was  meritorious. 

By  this  time  the  fugitives  had  approached  the  confines 
of  the  marsh.  An  accident,  however,  had  just  occurred, 
which  nearly  proved  fatal  to  Viviana,  and,  owing  to  the 
delay  it  occasioned,  brought  their  pursuers  into  dangerous 
proximity  with  them.  In  fording  the  Irwell,  which,  from 
its  devious  course,  they  were  again  compelled  to  cross, 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  below  Barton,  her  horse  missed 
its  footing,  and  precipitated  her  into  the  rapid  current. 
In  another  instant  she  would  have  been  borne  away,  if 
Guy  Fawkes  had  not  flung  himself  into  the  water,  and 
seized  her  before  she  sank.  Her  affrighted  steed,  having 
got  out  of  its  depth,  began  to  swim  off,  and  it  required 
the  utmost  exertion  on  the  part  of  Humphrey  Chetham, 
embarrassed  as  he  was  by  the  priest,  to  secure  it.  In  a 
few  minutes  all  was  set  to  rights,  and  Viviana  was  once 


62  .  GUY  FAWKES. 

more  placed  on  tlie  saddle,  without  having  sustained 
further  inconvenience  than  was  occasioned  by  her  dripping 
apparel.  But  those  few  minutes,  as  has  been  just  stated, 
sufficed  to  bring  the  pursuivant  and  his  men  close  upon 
them ;  and  as  they  scrambled  up  the  opposite  bank,  the 
plunging  and  shouting  behind  them  told  that  the  latter 
had  entered  the  stream. 

"Yonder  is  Baysnape,"  exclaimed  Humphrey  Chetham, 
calling  Viviana's  attention  to  a  ridge  of  high  ground  on 
the  borders  of  the  waste.  "Below  it  lies  the  path  by 
which  I  propose  to  enter  the  moss.  We  shall  speedily  be 
out  of  the  reach  of  our  enemies." 

"  The  marsh  at  least  will  hide  us,"  answered  Viviana, 
with  a  shudder.     "  It  is  a  terrible  alternative." 

"Fear  nothing,  dear  daughter,"  observed  the  priest. 
"  The  saints,  who  have  thus  marvelously  protected  us, 
will  continue  to  watch  over  us  to  the  end,  and  will  malve 
the  path  over  yon  perilous  waste  as  safe  as  the  ground 
on  which  we  tread." 

"  I  like  not  the  appearance  of  the  sky,"  observed  Guy 
Fawkes,  looking  uneasily  upwards.  "Before  we  reach 
the  spot  you  have  pointed  out,  the  moon  will  be  obscured. 
Will  it  be  safe  to  traverse  the  moss  in  the  dark  ?  " 

"  It  is  our  only  chance,"  replied  the  young  merchant, 
speaking  in  a  Ioav  tone,  that  his  answer  might  not  reach 
Viviana's  ears ;  "  and  after  all,  the  darkness  may  be  service- 
able. Our  pursuers  are  so  near,  that  if  it  were  less  gloomy, 
they  might  hit  upon  the  right  track.  It  \vill  be  a  risk  to 
us  to  proceed,  but  certain  destruction  to  those  who  follow. 
And  now  let  us  make  what  haste  we  can.  Every  momeni 
is  precious." 

The  dreary  and  fast  darkening  waste  had  now  opened 
upon  them  in  all  its  horrors.  Far  as  the  gaze  could  reach 
appeared  an  immense  expanse,  flat  almost  as  the  surface 
of  the  ocean,  and  unmarked,  so  far  as  could  be  discerned 
in  that  doubtful  liglit,  by  any  trace  of  human  footstep  or 
habitation.  It  was  a  stern  and  somber  prospect,  and 
calculated  to  inspire  terror  in  the  stoutest  bosom.     What 


CHAT  MOSS.  63 

effect  it  produced  on  Viviana  may  be  easily  conjectured. 
But  her  nature  was  brave  and  enduring,  and,  though  she 
trembled  so  violently  as  scarcely  to  be  able  to  keep  her 
seat,  she  gave  no  utterance  to  her  fears.  They  were  now 
skirting  that  part  of  the  morass  since  denominated,  from 
the  unfortunate  speculation  previously  alluded  to,  "  Ros- 
coe's  Improvements."  This  tract  was  the  worst  and  most 
dangerous  portion  of  the  whole  moss.  Soft,  slabby,  and 
unsubstantial,  its  treacherous  beds  scarcely  offered  secure 
footing  to  the  heron  that  alighted  on  them.  The  ground 
shook  beneath  the  fugitives  as  they  hurried  past  the  edge 
of  the  groaning  and  quivering  marsh.  The  plover,  scared 
from  its  nest,  uttered  its  peculiar  and  plaintive  cry  ;  the 
bittern  shrieked;  other  night  fowl  poured  forth  their 
doleful  notes ;  and  the  bull-frog  added  its  deep  croak  to 
the  ominous  concert.  Behind  them  came  the  thundering 
tramp  and  loud  shouts  of  their  pursuers.  Guy  Fawkes 
had  judged  correctly.  Before  they  reached  Baysnape  the 
moon  had  withdrawn  behind  a  rack  of  clouds,  and  it  had 
become  profoundly  dark.  Arrived  at  this  point,  Hum- 
phrey Chetham  called  to  them  to  turn  off  to  the  right. 

"  Follow  singly,"  he  said,  "  and  do  not  swerve  a  hair's 
breadth  from  the  path.  The  slightest  deviation  will  be 
fatal.  Do  you,  sir,"  he  added  to  the  priest, "  mount  behind 
Guy  Fawkes,  and  let  Viviana  come  next  after  me.  If  I 
should  miss  my  way,  do  not  stir  for  your  life." 

The  transfer  effected,  the  fugitives  turned  off  to  the 
right,  and  proceeded  at  a  cautious  pace  along  a  narrow 
and  shaking  path.  The  ground  trembled  so  much  beneath 
them,  and  their  horses'  feet  sank  so  deeply  in  the  plashy 
bog,  that  Viviana  demanded,  in  a  tone  of  some  uneasiness, 
if  he  was  sure  he  had  taken  the  right  course  ? 

"  If  I  had  not,"  replied  Humphrey  Chetham,  "  we 
should  ere  this  have  found  our  way  to  the  bottom  of  the 
morass," 

As  he  spoke,  a  floundering  plunge,  accompanied  by  a 
horrible  and  quickly-stifled  cry,  told  that  one  of  their 
pursuers  had  perished  in  endeavoring  to  follow  them. 


64  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  The  poor  wretch  is  gone  to  his  account,"  observed 
Viviana,  in  a  tone  of  commiseration.  "  Have  a  care ! — 
have  a  care,  lest  you  share  the  same  fate." 

"  If  I  can  save  you,  I  care  not  wliat  becomes  of  me," 
replied  the  young  merchant.  "  Since  I  can  never  hope 
to  possess  you,  life  has  become  valueless  in  my  eyes." 

"Quicken  your  pace,"  shouted  Guy  Fawkes,  who 
brought  up  the  rear.  "Our  pursuers  have  discovered 
the  track,  and  are  making  towards  us." 

"  Let  them  do  so,"  replied  the  young  merchant,  "  They 
can  do  us  no  farther  injury." 

"  That  is  false  ! "  cried  the  voice  of  a  soldier  from  be- 
hind. And,  as  the  words  were  uttered,  a  shot  was  fired, 
which,  though  aimed  against  Chetham,  took  effect  upon 
his  steed.  The  animal  staggered,  and  his  rider  had  only 
time  to  slide  from  his  back  when  he  reeled  off  the  path, 
and  was  ingulfed  in  the  marsh. 

Hearing  the  plunge  of  the  steed,  the  man  fancied  he 
had  hit  his  mark,  and  hallooed  in  an  exulting  voice  to  his 
companions.  But  his  triumph  was  of  short  duration.  A 
ball  from  the  petronel  of  Guy  Fawkes  pierced  his  brain, 
and  dropping  from  his  saddle,  he  sank,  together  with  his 
horse,  which  he  dragged  along  with  him  into  the  quag- 
mire. 

"  Waste  no  more  shot,"  cried  Humphrey  Chetham ; 
"the  swamp  will  fight  our  battles  for  us.  Though  I 
grieve  for  the  loss  of  my  horse,  I  may  be  better  able  to 
guide  you  on  foot." 

With  this,  he  seized  Viviana's  bridle,  and  drew  her  steed 
along  at  a  quick  pace,  but  with  the  greatest  caution.  As 
they  proceeded,  a  light  like  that  of  a  lantern  was  seen  to 
rise  from  the  earth,  and  approach  them. 

"  Heaven  be  praised  ! "  exclaimed  Viviana  :  "  some  one 
has  heard  us,  and  is  hastening  to  our  assistance." 

"  Not  so,"  replied  Humphrey  Chetham.  "  The  light 
you  behold  is  an  iffuis  fatinis.  Were  you  to  trust  your- 
self to  its  delusive  gleam,  it  would  lead  you  to  the  most 
dangerous  parts  of  the  moss." 


CHAT  MOSS.  65 

And,  as  if  to  exhibit  its  real  character,  the  little  flame, 
which  hitherto  had  burnt  as  brightly  and  steadily  as 
a  wax-candle,  suddenly  appeared  to  dilate,  and  assuming 
a  purple  tinge,  emitted  a  shower  of  sparks,  and  then  flit- 
ted rapidly  over  the  plain. 

"  Woe  to  him  that  follows  it !  "  cried  Humphrey  Chet- 
ham. 

"  It  has  a  strange  unearthly  look,"  observed  Viviana, 
crossing  herself.  "  I  have  much  difficulty  in  persuading 
myself  it  is  not  the  work  of  some  malignant  sprite." 

"  It  is  only  an  exhalation  of  the  marsh,"  replied  Chet- 
ham.     "  But,  see  !  others  are  at  hand." 

Their  approach,  indeed,  seemed  to  have  disturbed  all 
the  weird  children  of  the  waste.  Lights  were  seen 
trooping  towards  them  in  every  direction ;  sometimes 
stopping,  sometimes  rising  in  the  air,  now  contracting, 
now  expanding,  and  when  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
travelers,  retreating  with  inconceivable  swiftness. 

"  It  is  a  marvelous  and  incomprehensible  spectacle,"  re- 
marked Viviana. 

"  The  common  folk  hereabouts  affirm  that  these  Jack- 
o'-lanterns,  as  they  term  them,  always  appear  in  greater 
numbers  when  some  direful  catastrophe  is  about  to  take 
place,"  rejoined  the  young  merchant. 

"  Heaven  avert  it  from  us,"  ejaculated  Viviana. 

"  It  is  an  idle  superstition,"  returned  Chetham.  "  But 
we  must  now  keep  silence,"  he  continued,  lowering  his 
voice,  and  stopping  near  the  charred  stump  of  a  tree, 
left,  it  would  seem,  as  a  mark.  "  The  road  turns  here  ; 
and,  unless  our  pursuers  know  it,  we  shall  now  quit  them 
forever.  We  must  not  let  a  sound  betray  the  course  we 
are  about  to  take." 

Having  turned  this  dangerous  corner  in  safety,  and 
conducted  his  companions  as  noiselessly  as  possible  for  a 
few  yards  along  the  cross  path,  which  being  much  nar- 
rower was  consequently  more  perilous  than  the  first 
Humphrey  Chetham  stood  still,  and,  imposing  silence 
upon  the  others,  listened  to  the  approach  of  their  pur- 


66  GUY  FAWKES. 

suers.  His  prediction  was  speedily  and  terribly  verified. 
Hearing  the  movement  in  advance,  but  unable  to  discover 
the  course  taken  by  the  fugitives,  the  unfortunate  sol- 
diers, fearful  of  losing  their  prey,  quickened  their 
pace,  in  the  expectation  of  instantly  overtaking  them. 
They  were  fatally  undeceived.  Four  only  of  their  num- 
ber, besides  their  leader,  remained, — two  having  perished 
in  the  manner  heretofore  described.  The  first  of  these, 
disregarding  the  caution  of  his  comrade,  laughingly  urged 
his  horse  into  a  gallop,  and,  on  passing  the  mark,  sunk  as 
if  by  magic,  and  before  he  could  utter  a  single  warning 
cry,  into  the  depths  of  the  morass.  His  disappearance 
was  so  instantaneous,  that  the  next  in  order,  though  he 
heard  the  sullen  plunge,  was  unable  to  draw  in  the  rein, 
and  was  likewise  ingulfed.  A  third  followed;  and  a 
fourth,  in  his  efforts  to  avoid  their  fate,  backed  his  steed 
over  the  slippery  edge  of  the  path.  Only  one  now  re- 
mained. It  was  the  pursuivant,  who,  with  the  prudence 
that  characterized  all  his  proceedings,  had  followed  in 
the  rear.  He  was  so  dreadfully  frightened,  that,  adding 
his  shrieks  to  those  of  his  attendants,  he  shouted  to  the 
fugitives,  imploring  assistance  in  the  most  piteous  terms, 
and  promising  never  again  to  molest  them,  if  they  would 
guide  him  to  a  place  of  safety.  But  his  cries  were  wholly 
unheeded  ;  and  he  perhaps  endured  in  those  few  minutes 
of  agony  as  much  suffering  as  he  had  inflicted  on  the 
numerous  victims  of  his  barbarity.  It  was  indeed  an  ap- 
palling moment.  Three  of  the  wretched  men  had  not 
yet  sunk,  but  were  floundering  about  in  the  swamp,  and 
shrieking  for  help.  The  horses,  as  much  terrified  as 
their  riders,  added  their  piercing  cries  to  the  half-suf- 
focated yells.  And,  as  if  to  make  the  scene  more  ghastly, 
myriads  of  dancing  liglits  flitted  towards  them,  and 
throwing  an  unearthly  glimmer  over  this  part  of  the 
morass,  fully  revealed  their  struggling  figures.  Moved 
by  compassion  for  the  poor  wretches,  Viviana  implored 
Humphrey  Chetham  to  assist  them,  and,  finding  him  im- 
movable, appealed  to  Guy  Fawkes. 


CHAT  MOSS.  67 

«  They  are  beyond  all  human  aid,"  the  latter  replied. 

"  Heaven  have  mercy  on  their  souls  !  "  ejaculated  the 
priest.  "  Pray  for  them,  dear  daughter.  Pray  heartily, 
as  I  am  about  to  do."  And  he  recited  in  an  audible  voice 
the  Romish  formula  of  supplication  for  those  in  extremis. 

Averting  her  gaze  from  the  spectacle,  Viviana  joined 
fervently  in  the  prayer. 

By  this  time  two  of  the  strugglers  had  disappeared. 
The  tliird,  having  freed  himself  from  his  horse,  contrived 
for  some  moments,  during  which  he  uttered  the  most 
frightful  cries,  to  keep  his  head  above  the  swamp.  His 
efforts  were  tremendous,  but  unavailing,  and  served  only 
to  accelerate  his  fate.  Making  a  last  desperate  plunge 
towards  the  bank  where  tlie  fugitives  were  standing,  he 
sank  above  the  chin.  The  expression  of  his  face,  shown 
by  the  ghastly  glimmer  of  the  fen-fires,  as  lie  was  grad- 
ually swallowed  up,  was  horrible. 

"  Hequiem  mternam  dona  eis,  Dombte^"  exclaimed  the 
priest. 

"All  is  over,"  cried  Ilumplirey  vlJhetham,  taking  the 
bridle  of  Viviana's  steed,  and  leading  her  onwards.  "We 
are  free  from  our  pursuers." 

"  There  is  one  left,"  she  rejoined,  casting  a  look  back- 
wards. 

"  It  is  the  pursuivant,"  returned  Guy  Fawkes,  sternly. 
"  He  is  within  shot,"  he  added,  drawing  his  petronel. 

"  Oh,  no — no  ! — in  pity  spare  him  !  "  cried  Viviana. 
"  Too  many  lives  have  been  sacrificed  already." 

"  He  is  the  cause  of  all  the  mischief,"  answered  Guy 
Fawkes,  unwillingly  replacing  the  petronel  in  his  belt, 
"  and  may  live  to  injure  you  and  your  father." 

"  I  will  hope  not,"  rejoined  Viviana ;  "  but,  spare  him  I 
— oh,  spare  him !  " 

"Be  it  as  you  please,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes.  "The 
marsh,  I  trust,  will  not  be  so  merciful." 

With  this,  they  slowly  resumed  their  progress.  On 
hearing  their  departure,  the  pursuivant  renewed  his  cries 
in  a  more  piteous  tone  than  ever ;  but,  in  spite  of  the  en- 


68  GUY  FAWKES. 

treaties  of  Viviaua,  nothing  could  induce  her  companions 
to  lend  him  assistance. 

For  some  time  they  proceeded  in  silence,  and  without 
accident.  As  they  advanced,  the  diflBculties  of  the  path 
increased,  and  it  was  fortunate  that  the  moon,  emerging 
from  the  clouds  in  which,  up  to  this  moment  she  had 
been  shrouded,  enabled  them  to  steer  their  course  in 
safety.  At  length,  after  a  tedious  and  toilsome  march 
for  nearly  half  a  mile,  the  footing  became  more  secure, 
the  road  widened,  and  they  were  able  to  quicken  their 
pace.  Another  half  mile  landed  them  upon  tlie  western 
bank  of  the  morass.  Viviana's  first  impulse  was  to  give 
thanks  to  Heaven  for  their  deliverance,  nor  did  she  omit 
in  her  prayer  a  supplication  for  the  unfortunate  beings 
who  had  perished 

Arrived  at  the  point  now  known  as  Rawson  Nook,  they 
entered  a  lane,  and  proceeded  towards  Astley  Green, 
where  perceiving  a  cluster  of  thatched  cottages  among 
the  trees,  they  knocked  at  the  door  of  the  first,  and 
speedily  obtained  admittance  from  its  inmates,  a  turf- 
cutter  and  his  wife.  The  man  conveyed  their  steeds  to  a 
neighboring  barn,  while  the  good  dame  offered  Viviana 
such  accommodation  and  refreshment  as  her  humble 
dwelling  afforded.  Here  they  tarried  till  the  following 
evening,  as  much  to  recruit  Miss  Radcliffe's  strength,  as 
for  security. 

At  the  young  merchant's  request,  the  turf-cutter  went 
in  the  course  of  the  day  to  see  what  had  become  of  the 
pursuivant,  fie  was  nowhere  to  be  found.  But  he  acci- 
dentally learned  from  another  hind,  who  followed  the 
same  occupation  as  himself,  that  a  person  answering  to 
the  officer's  description  had  been  seen  to  emerge  from  the 
moss  near  Baysnape  at  daybreak,  and  take  the  road  to- 
wards Manchester.  Of  the  unfortunate  soldiers  nothing 
but  a  steel  cap  and  a  pike,  which  the  man  brought  away 
with  him,  could  be  discovered. 

After  much  debate,  it  was  decided  that  their  safest 
plan  would  be  to  proceed  to  Manchester,  where  Hum- 


CHAT  MOSS.  69 

phrey  Chetham  undertook  to  procure  them  safe  lodgings 
at  the  Seven  Stars, — an  excellent  hostel,  kept  by  a  worthy 
widow,  who,  he  affirmed,  would  do  anything  to  serve  him. 
Accordingly,  they  set  out  at  nightfall, — Viviana  taking 
her  place  before  Guy  Fawkes,  and  relinquishing  Zayda  to 
the  young  merchant  and  the  priest.  Shaping  their  course 
through  Worsley,  by  Monton  Green  and  Pendleton,  they 
arrived  in  about  an  hour  within  sight  of  the  town,  which 
then, — not  a  tithe  of  its  present  size,  and  unpolluted  by 
the  smoky  atmosphere  in  which  it  is  now  constantly 
enveloped, — was  not  without  some  pretensions  to  a  pic- 
turesque appearance.  Crossing  Salford  Bridge,  they 
mounted  Smithy  Bank,  as  it  was  then  termed,  and  pro- 
ceeding along  Cateaton  Street  and  Hanging  Ditch,  struck 
into  Whithing  (now  Withy)  Grove,  at  the  right  of  which, 
just  where  a  few  houses  were  beginning  to  straggle  up 
Shude  Hill,  stood,  and  still  stands,  the  comfortable  hostel 
of  the  Seven  Stars.  Here  they  stopped,  and  were  warm- 
ly welcomed  by  its  buxom  mistress.  Dame  Sutchtfe. 
Muffled  in  Guy  Fawkes's  cloak,  the  priest  gained  the 
chamber  to  which  he  was  ushered  unobserved.  And 
Dame  Sutcliffe,  though  her  Protestant  notions  were  a 
little  scandalized  at  her  dwelling  being  made  the  sanc- 
tuary of  a  Popish  priest,  promised,  at  the  instance  of 
IMaster  Chetham,  whom  she  knew  to  be  no  favorer  of 
idolatry  in  a  general  way,  to  be  answerable  for  his  safety. 


to  tiUY  FAWKI^gJ. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE    DISINTEEMENT. 

Having  seen  every  attention  shown  to  Viviana  by  the 
hostess, — who,  as  soon  as  she  discovered  tliat  she  had 
the  daughter  of  Sir  William  Radcliffe  of  Ordsall,  under 
her  roof,  bestirred  herself  in  right  earnest  for  her  accom- 
modation, — Humphrey  Chetham,  notwithstanding  the 
lateness  of  the  hour, — it  was  past  midnight, — expressed 
his  determination  to  walk  to  his  residence  at  Crumpsall, 
to  put  an  end  to  any  apprehension  which  might  be  enter- 
tained by  the  household  at  his  prolonged  absence. 

With  this  view,  he  set  forth ;  and  Guy  Fawkes,  who 
seemed  to  be  meditating  some  project  which  he  was  un- 
willing to  disclose  to  the  others,  quitted  the  hostel  with 
him,  bidding  the  chamberlain  sit  up  for  him,  as  he  should 
speedily  return.  They  had  not  gone  far  when  he  inquired 
the  nearest  way  to  the  Collegiate  Church,  and  was  an- 
swered that  they  were  then  proceeding  towards  it,  and  in 
a  few  moments  should  arrive  at  its  walls.  He  next  asked 
the  young  merchant  whether  he  could  inform  him  which 
part  of  the  churchyard  was  allotted  to  criminals.  Hum- 
phrey Chetham,  somewhat  surprised  by  the  question,  re- 
plied, "  At  the  northwest,  near  the  charnel,"  adding,  "  I 
shall  pass  within  a  short  distance  of  the  spot,  and  will 
point  it  out  to  you." 

Entering  Fennel  Street,  at  the  end  of  which  stood  an 
ancient  cross,  they  soon  came  in  sight  of  the  church.  The 
moon  was  shining  brightly,  and  silvered  the  massive 
square  tower  of  the  fane,  the  battlements,  pinnacles,  but- 
tresses, and  noble  eastern  window,  with  its  gorgeous 
tracery.  While  Guy  Fawkes  paused  for  a  moment  to 
contemplate  this  reverend  and  beautiful  structure,  two 
venerable  personages,  having  long  snowy  beards,  and 
wrapped  in  flowing  mantles  edged  with  sable  fur,  passed 


THE  DISINTERMENT.  ?! 

the  end  of  the  street.  One  of  them  carried  a  lantern, 
though  it  was  wholly  needless,  as  it  was  bright  as  day  ; 
and  as  they  glided  stealthily  along,  there  was  something 
so  mysterious  in  their  manner,  that  it  greatly  excited  the 
curiosity  of  Guy  Fawkes,  who  inquired  from  his  compan- 
ion if  he  knew  who  they  were. 

"  The  foremost  is  the  warden  of  Manchester,  the  famous 
Doctor  Dee,"  replied  Humphrey  Chetham,  "  divine,  mathe- 
matician, astrologer, — and  if  report  speaks  truly,  con- 
jurer." 

"  Is  that  Doctor  Dee  ?  "  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  in  astonish- 
ment. 

"  It  is,"  replied  the  young  merchant :  "  and  the  other 
in  the  Polish  cap  is  the  no-less  celebrated  Edward  Kelley, 
the  doctor's  assistant,  or,  as  he  is  ordinarily  termed,  his 
seer." 

"They  have  entered  the  churchyard,"  remarked  Guy 
Fawkes.     "I  will  follow  them." 

"  I  would  not  advise  you  to  do  so,"  rejoined  the  other. 
"  Strange  tales  are  told  of  them.  You  may  witness  that 
it  is  not  safe  to  look  upon." 

The  caution,  however,  was  unheeded.  Guy  Fawkes  had 
already  disappeared,  and  the  young  merchant,  shrugging 
his  shoulders,  proceeded  on  his  way  towards  Hunt's  Bank. 

On  gaining  the  churchyard,  Guy  Fawkes  perceived  the 
warden  and  his  companion  creeping  stealthily  beneath  the 
shadow  of  a  wall  in  the  direction  of  a  low  fabric,  which 
appeared  to  be  a  bone-house,  or  charnel,  situated  at  the 
northwestern  extremity  of  the  church.  Before  this  build- 
ing grew  a  black  and  stunted  yew-tree.  Arrived  at  it, 
they  paused,  and  looked  round  to  see  whether  they  were 
observed.  They  did  not,  however,  notice  Guy  Fawkes, 
who  had  concealed  himself  behind  a  buttress.  Kelley  then 
unlocked  the  door  of  the  charnel,  and  brought  out  a  pick- 
axe and  mattock.  Having  divested  himself  of  his  cloak, 
he  proceeded  to  shovel  out  the  mold  from  a  new-made 
grave  at  a  little  distance  from  the  building.  Doctor  Dee 
stood  by,  and  held  the  lantern  for  his  assistant. 


^9,  GUY  FAWKES. 

Determined  to  watch  their  proceedings,  Guy  Fawkes 
crept  towards  the  yew-tree,  behind  which  he  ensconced 
himself.  Kelley,  meanwhile,  continued  to  ply  his  spade 
with  a  vigor  that  seemed  almost  incomprehensible  in  one 
so  far  stricken  in  years,  and  of  such  infirm  appearance. 
At  length  he  paused,  and  kneeling  within  the  shallow 
grave,  endeavored  to  drag  something  from  it.  Doctor 
Dee  knelt  to  assist  him.  After  some  exertion,  they  drew 
forth  the  corpse  of  a  female,  which  had  been  interred 
without  coffin,  and  apparently  in  the  habiliments  worn 
during  life.  A  horrible  suspicion  crossed  Guy  Fawkes. 
Resolving  to  satisfy  his  doubts  at  once,  he  rushed  forward, 
and  beheld  in  the  ghastly  lineaments  of  the  dead  the 
features  of  the  unfortunate  prophetess,  Elizabeth  Ortou. 


Guy  Fawkes  stood  behind  a  tree  watching  Dr.  Dee  and  Kelley  digging  in 
the  new  made  grave.     Page  72.  Guy  Fawkes 


DOCTOR  DEE.  73 


CHAPTER  VII. 

DOCTOR   DEE. 

"  How  now,  ye  impious  violators  of  the  tomb !  ye  worse 
than  famine-stricken  wolves,  that  rake  up  the  dead  in 
churchyards ! "  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  in  a  voice  of  thunder, 
to  Doctor  Dee  and  his  companion ;  who,  startled  by  his 
sudden  appearance,  dropped  the  body,  and  retreated  to  a 
short  distance.  "  What  devilish  rites  are  ye  about  to  en- 
act, that  ye  thus  profane  the  sanctity  of  the  grave  ?  " 

"  And  who  art  thou  that  darest  thus  to  interrupt  us  ?  " 
demanded  Dee,  sternly. 

"  It  matters  not,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  striding  towards 
them.  "  Suffice  it  you  are  both  known  to  vie.  You, 
John  Dee,  warden  of  Manchester,  who  deserve  to  be 
burnt  at  the  stake  for  your  damnable  practises,  rather 
than  hold  the  sacred  office  you  fill;  and  you,  Edward 
Kelley,  his  associate,  who  boast  of  familiar  intercourse 
with  demons,  and,  unless  fame  belies  you,  have  purchased 
the  intimacy  at  the  price  of  your  soul's  salvation.  I  know 
you  both.  I  know,  also,  whose  body  you  have  disinterred 
— it  is  that  of  the  ill-fated  prophetess,  Elizabeth  Orton. 
And  if  you  do  not  instantly  restore  it  to  the  grave  whence 
you  have  snatched  it,  I  will  denounce  you  to  the  authori- 
ties of  the  town." 

"Knowing  thus  much,  you  should  know  still  more,'* 
retorted  Doctor  Dee,  "  namely,  that  I  am  not  to  be  lightly 
provoked.  You  have  no  power  to  quit  the  churchyard- 
nay,  not  so  much  as  to  move  a  limb  without  my  permis- 
sion." 

As  he  spoke,  he  drew  from  beneath  his  cloak  a  small 
phial,  the  contents  of  which  he  sprinkled  over  the  in- 
truder. Its  effect  was  wonderful  and  instantaneous. 
The  limbs  of  Guy  Fawkes  stiffened  where  he  stood.     His 


74  GUY  FAWKES. 

hand  remained  immovably  fixed  upon  the  pommel  of  his 
sword,  and  he  seemed  transformed  into  a  marble  statue. 

"You  will  henceforth  acknowledge  and  respect  my 
power,"  he  continued.  "  Were  it  my  pleasure,  I  could 
bury  you  twenty  fathoms  deep  in  the  earth  beneath  our 
feet;  or,  by  invoking  certain  spirits,  convey  you  to  the 
summit  of  yon  lofty  tower,"  pointing  to  the  church,  "  and 
hurl  you  from  it  headlong.  But  I  content  myself  with 
depri\'ing  you  of  motion,  and  leave  you  in  possession  of 
sight  and  speech,  that  you  may  endure  the  torture  of  wit- 
nessing what  you  cannot  prevent." 

So  saying,  he  was  about  to  return  to  the  corpse  with 
Kelley,  when  Guy  Fawkes  exclaimed,  in  a  hollow  voice, 

"  Set  me  free,  and  I  will  instantly  depart." 

""Will  you  swear  never  to  divulge  what  you  have 
seen  ?  "  demanded  Dee,  pausing. 

"  Solemnly,"  he  replied, 

"I  will  trust  you,  then,"  rejoined  the  Doctor;— "the 
rather  that  your  presence  interferes  with  my  purpose." 

Taking  a  handful  of  loose  earth  from  an  adjoining 
grave,  and  muttering  a  few  words,  that  sounded  like  a 
charm,  he  scattered  it  over  Fawkes.  The  spell  was  in- 
stantly broken.  A  leaden  weight  seemed  to  be  removed 
from  his  limbs.  His  joints  regained  their  suppleness, 
and  with  a  convulsive  start,  like  that  by  which  a  dreamer 
casts  off  a  nightmare,  he  was  liberated  from  his  preter. 
natural  thraldom. 

"  And  now,   begone ! "   cried    Doctor  Dee,   authorita 
tively. 

"  Suffer  me  to  tarry  with  you  a  few  moments,"  said 
Guy  Fawkes,  in  a  deferential  tone.  "  Heretofore,  I  will 
freely  admit,  I  regarded  you  an  impostor ;  but  now  I  am 
convinced  you  are  deeply  skilled  in  the  occult  sciences, 
and  would  fain  consult  you  on  the  future." 

"  I  have  already  said  that  your  presence  troubles  me," 
replied  Doctor  Dee.  "  But  if  you  Avill  call  upon  me  at 
the  College  to-morrow,  it  may  be  I  will  give  you  further 
proofs  of  my  skill." 


DOCTOR  DEE.  75 

"  Why  not  now,  reverend  sir  ?  "  urged  Fawkes.  «  The 
question  I  would  ask  is  better  suited  to  this  dismal  spot 
and  witching  hour,  than  to  daylight  and  the  walls  of  your 
study." 

"  Indeed !  "  exclaimed  Dee.     "  Your  name  ?  " 

"  Guy  Fawkes,"  replied  the  other. 

"  Guy  Fawkes  !  "  echoed  the  Doctor,  starting.  "  Nay, 
then,  I  guess  the  nature  of  the  question  you  would  ask." 

"  Am  I  then  known  to  you,  reverend  sir  ?  "  inquired 
Fawkes,  uneasily. 

"As  well  as  to  yourself — nay,  better,"  answered  the 
Doctor.  "  Bring  the  lantern  hither,  Kelley,"  he  con- 
tinued, addressing  his  companion.  "  Look  !  "  he  added, 
elevating  the  light  so  as  to  throw  it  upon  the  countenance 
of  Fawkes :  "  it  is  the  very  face, — the  bronzed  and 
strongly-marked  features, — the  fierce  black  eye, — the 
iron  frame,  and  foreign  garb  of  the  figure  we  beheld  in 
the  show-stone." 

"  It  is,"  replied  Kelley,  "  I  could  have  singled  him  out 
amid  a  thousand.  He  looked  thus  as  we  tracked  his 
perilous  course,  with  his  three  companions,  the  priest, 
Chetham,  and  Viviana  Radcliffe,  across  Chat  Moss." 

"  How  have  you  learned  this  ?  "  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  in 
amazement. 

"  By  the  art  that  reveals  all  things,"  answered  Kelley. 

"  In  proof  that  your  thoughts  are  known  to  me,"  ob- 
served Dee,  "  I  will  tell  you  the  inquiry  you  would  make 
before  it  is  uttered.  You  would  learn  whether  the  enter- 
prise on  which  you  are  engaged  will  succeed." 

"  I  would,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Yet  more,"  continued  Dee.  "  I  am  aware  of  the  na- 
ture of  the  plot,  and  could  name  to  you  all  connected 
with  it." 

"  Your  power  is,  indeed,  wonderful,"  rejoined  Fawkes 
in  an  altered  tone.  "  But  will  you  give  me  the  informa- 
tion I  require  ?  " 

"  Hum  !  "  muttered  Dee. 

"I  am  too   poor  to  purchase  it,"  proceeded  Fawkes, 


76  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  unless  a  relic  I  have  brought  from  Spain  has  any  value 
in  your  eyeSo" 

"Tush!"  exclaimed  Dee,  angrily.  "Do  you  suppose 
I  am  a  common  juggler,  and  practise  my  art  for  gain  ?  " 

"  By  no  means,  reverend  sir,"  said  Fawkes.  "  But  I 
would  not  willingly  put  you  to  trouble  without  evincing 
my  gratitude." 

"  Well,  then,"  replied  Dee,  "  I  will  not  refuse  your  re- 
quest. And  yet  I  would  caution  you  to  beware  how  you 
pry  into  the  future.  You  may  repent  your  rashness  when 
it  is  too  late." 

"  I  have  no  fear,"  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  Let  me  know 
the  worst," 

"Enough,"  answered  Dee.  "And  now  listen  to  me. 
That  carcass  having  been  placed  in  the  ground  without 
the  holy  rites  of  burial  being  duly  performed,  I  have 
power  over  it.  And,  as  the  witch  of  Endor  called  up 
Samuel,  as  is  recorded  in  Holy  Writ, — as  Erichtho  raised 
up  a  corpse  to  reveal  to  Sextus  Pompeius  the  event  of 
the  Pharsalian  war, — as  Elisha  breathed  life  into  the 
nostrils  of  the  Shunamite's  son, — as  Alcestis  was  invoked 
by  Hercules, — and  as  the  dead  maid  was  brought  back 
to  life  by  Apollonius  Thyaneus, — so  I,  by  certain  power- 
ful incantations,  will  allure  the  soul  of  the  prophetess, 
for  a  short  space,  to  its  former  tenement,  and  compel  it 
to  answer  my  questions.  Dare  you  be  present  at  this 
ceremony  ?  " 

"  I  dare,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Follow  me,  then,"  said  Dee.  "  You  will  need  all 
your  courage." 

Muttering  a  hasty  prayer,  and  secretly  crossing  himself, 
Guy  Fawkes  strode  after  him  towards  the  grave.  By  the 
Doctor's  directions,  he,  with  some  reluctance,  assisted 
Kelley  to  raise  the  corpse,  and  convey  it  to  the  charnel. 
Dee  followed,  bearing  the  lantern,  and,  on  entering  the 
building,  closed  and  fastened  the  door. 

The  chamber  in  which  Guy  Fawkes  found  himself  was 
in  perfect  keeping  with  the  horrible  ceremonial  about  tc 


DOCTOR  DEE.  77 

"be  performed.  In  one  corner  lay  a  moldering  heap  of 
skulls,  bones,  and  other  fragments  of  mortality ;  in  the 
other  a  pile  of  broken  coffins,  emptied  of  their  tenants, 
and  reared  on  end.  But  what  chiefly  attracted  his  at- 
tention, was  a  ghastly  collection  of  human  limbs,  black- 
ened with  pitch,  girded  round  with  iron  hoops,  and  hung, 
like  meat  in  a  shambles,  against  the  wall.  There  were 
two  heads,  and,  though  the  features  were  scarcely  distin- 
guishable, owing  to  the  liquid  in  which  they  had  been 
immersed,  they  still  retained  a  terrific  expression  of 
agony.  Seeing  his  attention  directed  to  these  revolting 
objects,  Kelley  informed  him  they  were  the  quarters  of 
the  two  priests  who  had  recently  been  put  to  death, 
which  had  been  left  there  previously  to  being  placed  on 
the  church-gates.  The  implements,  and  some  part  of  the 
attire  used  by  the  executioner  in  his  butcherly  office,  were 
scattered  about,  and  mixed  with  the  tools  of  the  sexton ; 
while  in  the  center  of  the  room  stood  a  large  wooden 
frame  supported  by  trestles.  On  this  frame,  stained  with 
blood  and  smeared  with  pitch,  showing  the  purpose  to 
which  it  had  been  recently  put,  the  body  was  placed. 
This  done,  Doctor  Dee  set  down  the  lantern  beside  it ; 
<ind,  as  the  light  fell  upon  its  livid  features,  sullied  with 
earth,  and  exhibiting  traces  of  decay,  Guy  Fawkes  was  so 
appalled  by  the  sight  that  he  half  repented  of  what  he 
had  undertaken. 

Noticing  his  irresolution.  Doctor  Dee  said,  "  You  may 
yet  retire  if  you  think  proper." 

"  No,"  replied  Fawkes,  rousing  himself ;  "  I  will  go 
through  with  it." 

"  It  is  well,"  replied  Dee.  And  he  extinguished  the 
light. 

An  awful  silence  now  ensued,  broken  only  by  a  low 
murmur  from  Doctor  Dee,  who  appeared  to  be  reciting 
an  incantation.  As  he  proceeded,  his  tones  became 
louder,  and  his  accents  those  of  command.  Suddenly,  he 
paused,  and  seemed  to  await  a  response.  But,  as  none 
was  made,  greatly  to  the  disappointment  of  Guy  Fawkes, 


TS  GUY  FAWKES. 

whose  curiosity,  notwithstanding  his  fears,  was  raised  to 
the  highest  pitch,  he  cried,  "  Blood  is  wanting  to  complete 
the  charm." 

"  If  that  is  all,  I  will  speedily  supply  the  deficiency," 
replied  Guy  Fawkes ;  and,  drawing  his  rapier,  he  bared 
his  left  arm,  and  pricked  it  deeply  with  the  point  of  the 
weapon. 

"  I  bleed  now,"  he  cried. 

"  Sprinkle  the  corpse  with  the  ruddy  current,"  rejoined 
,'  Doctor  Dee. 

"Your  commands  are  obeyed,"  replied  Fawkes.  "I 
have  placed  my  hand  on  its  breast,  and  the  blood  is  flow- 
ing upon  it." 

Upon  this  the  Doctor  began  to  mutter  an  incantation 
in  a  louder  and  more  authoritative  tone  than  before. 
Presently,  Kelley  added  his  voice,  and  they  both  joined 
in  a  sort  of  chorus,  but  in  a  jargon  wholly  unintelligible 
to  Guy  Fawkes. 

All  at  once  a  blue  flame  appeared  above  their  heads, 
and,  slowly  descending,  settled  upon  the  brow  of  the 
corpse,  lighting  up  the  sunken  cavities  of  the  eyes,  and 
the  discolored  and  distorted  features. 

"  The  charm  works,"  shouted  Doctor  Dee. 

"  She  moves !  she  moves ! "  exclaimed  Guy  Fawkes. 
"  She  is  alive  !  " 

"  Take  off  your  hand,"  cried  the  Doctor,  "  or  mischief 
may  ensue."     And  he  again  continued  his  incantation. 

"  Down  on  your  knees  !  "  he  exclaimed,  at  length,  in  a 
terrible  voice.     "  The  spirit  is  at  hand." 

There  was  a  rushing  sound,  and  a  stream  of  dazzling 
liglitning  shot  down  upon  the  corpse,  which  emitted  a 
hollow  groan.  In  obedience  to  the  Doctor's  commands, 
Guy  Fawkes  had  prostrated  himself  on  the  ground :  but 
he  kept  his  gaze  steadily  fixed  on  the  body,  which,  to 
his  infinite  astonishment,  slowly  arose,  until  it  stood  erect 
upon  the  frame.  There  it  remained  perfectly  motionless, 
with  the  arms  close  to  the  sides,  and  the  habiliments  torn 
and  disheveled.    The  blue  light  still  retained  its  position 


DOCTOR  DEE.  Y9 

upon  the  brow,  and  communicated  a  horrible  glimmer  to 
the  features.  The  spectacle  was  so  dreadful  that  Guy- 
Fa  wkes  would  fain  have  averted  his  eyes,  but  he  was 
unable  to  do  so.  Doctor  Dee  and  his  companion,  mean- 
while, continued  their  invocations,  until,  as  it  seemed  to 
Fa  wkes,  the  lips  of  the  corpse  moved,  and  an  awful  voice 
exclaimed,  "  Why  have  you  called  me  ?  " 

"  Daughter  !  "  replied  Doctor  Dee,  rising,  "  in  life  thou 
wert  endowed  with  the  gift  of  prophecy.  In  the  grave, 
that  which  is  to  come  must  be  revealed  to  thee.  We 
would  question  thee." 

"  Speak,  and  I  will  answer,"  replied  the  corpse. 

"  Interrogate  her,  my  son,"  said  Dee,  addressing  Fawkes, 
"  and  be  brief,  for  the  time  is  short.  So  long  only  as  that 
flame  burns  have  I  power  over  her." 

"  Spirit  of  Elizabeth  Or  ton,"  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  "  if 
indeed  thou  standest  before  me,  and  some  demon  hath  not 
entered  thy  frame  to  delude  me, — by  all  that  is  holy,  and 
by  every  blessed  saint,  I  adjure  thee  to  tell  me  whether 
the  scheme  on  which  I  am  now  engaged  for  the  advantage 
of  the  Catholic  Church  will  prosper  ?  " 

"  Thou  art  mistaken,  Guy  Fawkes,"  returned  the  corpse, 
"  Thy  scheme  is  not  for  the  advantage  of  the  Catholic 
Church." 

"I  will  not  pause  to  inquire  wherefore,"  continued 
Fawkes.  "  But,  grant  that  the  means  are  violent  and 
wrongful,  will  the  end  be  successful  ?  " 

"  The  end  will  be  death,"  replied  the  corpse. 

"  To  the  tyrant — to  the  oppressors  ?  "  demanded  Fawkes. 

"  To  the  conspirators,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Ha  !  "  ejaculated  Fawkes. 

"  Proceed,  if  you  have  aught  more  to  ask,"  cried  Doc- 
tor Dee.     "  The  flame  is  expiring." 

"  Shall  we  restore  the  fallen  religion  ? "  demanded 
Fawkes. 

Bat  l)efore  the  words  could  be  pronounced  the  light 
vanished,  and  a  heavy  sound  was  heard,  as  of  the  body 
falling  on  the  frame. 


80  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  It  is  over,"  said  Doctor  Dee. 

"  Can  you  not  summon  her  again  ?  "  asked  Fawkes,  in 
a  tone  of  deep  disappointment.  "  I  had  other  questions 
to  ask." 

"  Impossible,"  replied  the  Doctor.  "  The  spirit  is  fled, 
and  will  not  be  recalledo  We  must  now  commit  tlie  body 
to  the  earth.  And  this  time  it  shall  be  more  decently 
interred." 

"My  curiosity  is  excited, — not  satisfied,"  said  Guy 
Fawkes.     "  Would  it  were  to  occur  again  !  " 

"  It  is  ever  thus,"  replied  Doctor  Dee.  "  We  seek  to 
know  that  which  is  interdicted, — and  quench  our  thirst 
at  a  fountain  that  only  inflames  our  curiosity  the  more. 
Be  warned,  my  son.  You  are  embarked  on  a  perilous 
enterprise,  and  if  you  pursue  it,  it  will  lead  you  to  certain 
destruction." 

"  I  caimot  retreat,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  "  and  would  not, 
if  I  could.  I  am  bound  by  an  oath  too  terrible  to  be 
broken." 

"  I  will  absolve  you  of  your  oath,  my  son,"  said  Doctor 
Dee,  eagerly. 

"  You  cannot,  reverend  sir,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  By  no 
sophistry  could  I  clear  my  conscience  of  the  ties  imposed 
upon  it.  I  have  sworn  never  to  desist  from  the  execution 
of  this  scheme,  unless  those  engaged  in  it  shall  give  me 
leave.  Nay,  so  resolved  am  I,  that  if  I  stood  alone  I 
would  go  on." 

As  he  spoke,  a  deep  groan  issued  from  the  corpse. 

"  You  are  again  warned,  my  son,"  said  Dee. 

"  Come  forth,"  said  Guy  Fawkes,  rushing  towards  the 
door,  and  throwing  it  open.     "  This  place  stifles  me." 

The  night  has  already  been  described  as  bright  and 
beautiful.  Before  him  stood  the  Collegiate  Church  bathed 
in  moonlight.  He  gazed  abstractedly  at  this  venerable 
structure  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  returned  to  the 
charnel,  where  he  found  Doctor  Dee  and  Kelley  employed 
in  placing  the  body  of  the  prophetess  in  a  coffin,  which 
they  had  taken  from  a  pile  in  the  corner.    He  immediately 


DOCTOR  DEE.  81 

proffered  his  assistance,  and  in  a  short  space  the  task  was 
completed.  The  coffin  was  then  home  towards  the  grave, 
at  the  edge  of  which  it  was  laid  while  the  burial-service 
was  recited  by  Doctor  Dee.  This  ended,  it  was  lowered  into 
its  shallow  resting-place,  and  speedily  covered  with  earth. 

When  all  was  ready  for  their  departure,  the  Doctor 
turned  to  Fawkes,  and,  bidding  him  farewell,  observed, 

"  If  you  are  wise,  my  son,  you  will  profit  by  the  awful 
warning  you  have  this  night  received." 

"  Before  we  part,  reverend  sir,"  replied  Fawkes,  "  I 
would  ask  if  you  know  of  other  means  whereby  an  insight 
may  be  obtained  into  the  future  ?  " 

"  Many,  my  son,"  replied  Dee.  "  I  have  a  magic  glass, 
in  which,  with  due  preparation,  you  may  behold  exact 
representations  of  coming  events.  I  am  now  returning  to 
the  College,  and  if  you  will  accompany  me,  I  will  show  it 
to  you." 

The  offer  was  eagerly  accepted,  and  the  party  quitted 
the  churchyard. 
6 


82  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE    MAGIC    GLASS. 

The  old  College  of  Manchester  occupied,  as  is  well 
known,  the  site  of  the  existing  structure,  called  after  the 
benevolent  individual  by  whom  that  admirable  charity 
was  founded,  and  whom  we  have  ventured  to  introduce 
in  this  history, — the  Chetham  Hospital.  Much,  indeed,  of 
the  ancient  building  remains ;  for  though  it  was  consid- 
erably repaired  and  enlarged,  being  "  very  ruinous  and  in 
great  decay,"  at  the  time  of  its  purchase  in  1654,  by  the 
feoffees  under  Humphrey  Chetham's  will,  from  the  se- 
questrators of  the  Earl  of  Derby's  estates,  still  the  gen- 
eral character  of  the  fabric  has  been  preserved,  and  several 
of  its  chambers  retained.  Originally  built  on  the  founda- 
tion of  a  manor-house  denominated  The  Baron's  Hall, — the 
abode  of  the  Grelleys  and  the  De  la  Warrs,  lords  of  Man- 
chester,— the  College  continued  to  be  used  as  the  resi- 
dence of  the  warden  and  fellows  of  the  Collegiate  Church 
until  the  reign  of  Edward  the  First,  when  that  body  was 
dissolved.  On  the  accession,  however,  of  Mary,  the  Col- 
lege was  reestablished ;  but  the  residence  of  the  ecclesi- 
astical body  being  removed  to  a  house  in  Deansgate,  the 
building  was  allowed  to  become  extremely  dilapidated, 
and  was  used  partly  as  a  prison  for  recusants  and  other 
offenders,  and  partly  as  a  magazine  for  powder.  In  this 
state  Dr.  Dee  found  it  when  he  succeeded  to  the  warden- 
ship  in  1595,  and  preferring  it,  notwithstanding  its  ruin- 
ous condition,  to  the  house  appointed  for  him  elsewhere, 
took  up  his  abode  within  it. 

Situated  on  a  high  rock,  overhanging  the  river  Irk — at 
that  time  a  clear  stream,  remarkable  for  the  excellence  of 
its  fish, — and  constructed  entirely  of  stone,  the  old  College 
had  then,  and  still  has  to  a  certain  extent,  a  venerable 


'  THE  MAGIC  GLASS.  83 

and  monastic  appearance.  During  Dee's  occupation  of  it, 
it  became  a  sort  of  weird  abode  in  the  eyes  of  the  vulgar, 
and  many  a  timorous  look  was  cast  at  it  by  those  who 
walked  at  eventide  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  Irk. 
Sometimes  the  curiosity  of  the  watchers  was  rewarded  by 
beholding  a  few  sparks  issue  from  the  chimney,  and  now 
and  then,  the  red  reflection  of  a  fire  might  be  discerned 
through  the  window.  But  generally  nothing  could  be 
perceived,  and  the  building  seemed  as  dark  and  myste- 
rious as  its  occupant. 

One  night,  however,  a  loud  explosion  took  place, — so 
loud,  indeed,  that  it  shook  the  whole  pile  to  its  founda- 
tion, dislodged  one  or  two  of  the  chimneys,  and  overthrew 
an  old  wall,  the  stones  of  which  rolled  into  the  river  be- 
neath. Alarmed  by  the  concussion,  the  inhabitants  of 
Hunt's  Bank  rushed  forth,  and  saw,  to  their  great  alarm, 
that  the  wing  of  the  college  occupied  by  Doctor  Dee  was 
in  flames.  Though  many  of  them  attributed  the  circum- 
stance to  supernatural  agency,  and  were  fully  persuaded 
that  the  enemy  of  mankind  was  at  that  instant  bearing  off 
the  conjurer  and  his  assistant,  and  refused  to  interfere  to 
stop  the  conflagration,  others,  more  humane  and  less 
superstitious,  hastened  to  lend  their  aid  to  extinguish  the 
flames.  On  reaching  the  College,  they  could  scarcely 
credit  their  senses  on  finding  that  there  was  no  appearance 
of  fire ;  and  they  were  met  by  the  Doctor  and  his  com- 
panion at  the  gates,  who  informed  them  that  their  pres- 
ence was  unnecessary,  as  all  danger  was  over.  From 
that  night  Doctor  Dee's  reputation  as  a  wizard  was  firmly 
established. 

At  the  period  of  this  history.  Doctor  Dee  was  fast  verg- 
ing on  eighty,  having  passed  a  long  life  in  severe  and 
abstruse  study.  He  had  traveled  much,  had  visited  most 
of  the  foreign  courts,  where  he  was  generally  well  received, 
and  was  profoundly  versed  in  mathematics,  astronomy, 
the  then  i3opular  science  of  judicial  astrology,  and  other 
occult  learning.  So  accurate  were  his  calculations  es- 
teemed, that  he  was  universally  consulted  as  an  oracle. 


84  GUY  FAWKES. 

For  some  time,  he  resided  in  Germany,  where  he  wng 
invited  by  the  Emperor  Charles  the  Fifth,  and  retained 
by  his  brother  and  successor,  Ferdinando.  He  next  went 
to  Louvain,  where  his  reputation  had  preceded  him ;  and 
from  thence  to  Paris,  where  lie  lectured  at  the  schools  on 
geometry,  and  was  offered  a  professorship  of  the  univer- 
sity, but  declined  it.  On  his  return  to  England  in  1551, 
he  was  appointed  one  of  the  instructors  of  the  youthful 
monarch,  Edward  the  Sixth,  who  presented  him  with  an 
annual  pension  of  a  hundred  marks.  This  he  was  permitted 
to  commute  for  the  rectory  of  Up ton-upon- Severn,  which 
he  retained  until  the  accession  of  Mary,  when  being  charged 
with  devising  her  Majesty's  destruction  by  enchantments, 
— certain  waxen  images  of  the  Queen  having  been  found 
within  his  abode, — he  was  thrown  into  prison,  rigorously 
treated,  and  kept  in  durance  for  a  long  period.  At  length 
from  want  of  sufficient  proof  against  him,  he  was 
liberated. 

Dee  shared  the  common  fate  of  all  astrologers  :  he  was 
alternately  honored  and  disgraced.  His  next  patron  was 
Lord  Robert  Dudley  (afterwards  the  celebrated  Earl  of 
Leicester),  who,  it  is  well-known,  was  a  firm  believer  in 
the  superstitious  arts  to  which  Dee  was  addicted,  and  by 
whom  he  was  employed,  on  the  accession  of  Elizabeth,  to 
erect  a  scheme  to  ascertain  the  best  day  for  her  corona- 
tion. His  prediction  was  so  fortunate  that  it  procured 
him  the  favor  of  the  Queen,  from  whom  he  received  many 
marks  of  regard.  As  it  is  not  needful  to  follow  him 
through  his  various  wanderings,  it  may  be  sufficient  to 
mention,  that  in  1564  he  proceeded  to  Germany  on  a  visit 
to  the  Emperor  Maximilian,  to  whom  he  dedicated  his 
'•'-  Monas  Hieroglyphica  ;  "  that  in  1571  he  fell  grievously 
sick  in  Lorrain,  whither  two  physicians  were  despatched 
to  his  aid  by  Elizabeth ;  and  that  on  his  recovery  he  re- 
turned to  his  own  country,  and  retired  to  Mortlake,  where 
he  gathered  together  a  vast  library,  comprising  the  rarest 
and  most  curious  Avorks  on  all  sciences,  together  with  a 
large  collection  of  manuscripts. 


THE  MAGIC  GLASS.  85 

"While  thus  living  in  retirement,  he  was  sought  out  by 
Edward  Kelley,  a  native  of  Worcestershire,  who  repre- 
sented himself  as  in  possession  of  an  old  book  of  magic, 
containing  forms  of  invocation,  by  which  spirits  might  be 
summoned  and  controlled,  as  well  as  a  ball  of  ivory,  found 
in  the  tomb  of  a  bishop  who  had  made  great  progress  in 
hermetic  philosophy,  which  was  filled  with  the  powder  of 
projection.  These  treasures  Kelley  offered  to  place  in  the 
hands  of  the  Doctor  on  certain  conditions,  which  were 
immediately  acquiesced  in,  and  thenceforth  Kelley  became 
a  constant  inmate  in  his  house,  and  an  assistant  in  all  his 
practises.  Shortly  afterwards,  they  were  joined  by  a 
Polish  nobleman,  Albert  de  Laski,  Palatine  of  Suabia, 
whom  they  accompanied  to  Prague,  at  the  instance  of  the 
Emperor  Rodolph  the  Second,  who  desired  to  be  initiated 
into  their  mysteries.  Their  reception  at  this  court  was 
not  such  as  to  induce  a  long  sojourn  at  it ;  and  Dee  having 
been  warned  by  his  familiar  spirits  to  sell  his  effects  and 
depart,  complied  with  the  intimation,  and  removed  to 
Poland.  The  same  fate  attended  him  here.  The  nuncio 
of  the  Pope  denounced  him  as  a  sorcerer,  and  demanded 
that  he  should  be  delivered  up  to  the  Inquisition.  This 
was  refused  by  the  monarch ;  but  Dee  and  his  companion 
were  banished  from  his  dominions,  and  compelled  to  fly  to 
Bohemia,  where  they  took  refuge  in  the  castle  of  Trebona, 
belonging  to  Count  Rosenberg.  Shortly  afterwards,  Dee 
and  Kelley  separated,  the  magical  instruments  being 
delivered  to  the  former,  who  bent  his  course  homewards ; 
and  on  his  arrival  in  London  was  warmly  welcomed  by 
the  Queen.  During  his  absence,  his  house  at  Mortlake 
had  been  broken  open  by  the  populace,  under  the  pretense 
of  its  being  the  abode  of  a  wizard,  and  rifled  of  its  valuable 
library  and  manuscripts, — a  loss  severely  felt  by  its 
owners.  Some  years  were  now  passed  by  Dee  in  great 
destitution,  during  which  he  prosecuted  his  studies  with 
the  same  ardor  as  before,  until  at  length  in  1595,  when  he 
was  turned  seventy,  fortune  again  smiled  upon  him,  and 
be  was  appointed  to  the  wardenship  of  the  College  at 


86  GUY  FAM^KES. 

Manchester,  whither  he  repaired,  and  was  installed  in 
great  pomp. 

But  his  residence  in  this  place  was  not  destined  to  be  a 
tranquil  one.  His  reputation  as  a  dealer  in  the  black  art 
had  preceded  him,  and  rendered  him  obnoxious  to  the 
clergy,  with  whom  he  had  constant  disputes,  and  a  feud 
subsisted  between  him  and  the  fellows  of  his  church.  It 
has  already  been  mentioned  that  he  refused  to  occupy  the 
house  allotted  him,  but  preferred  taking  up  his  quarters  in 
the  old  dilapidated  College.  Various  reasons  were  assigned 
by  his  enemies  for  this  singular  choice  of  abode.  They 
affirmed — and  with  some  reason — that  he  selected  it  be- 
cause he  desired  to  elude  observation, — and  that  his  mode 
of  life,  sufficiently  improper  in  a  layman,  was  altogether 
indecorous  in  an  ecclesiastic.  By  the  common  people  he 
was  universally  regarded  as  a  conjurer — and  many  at 
first  came  to  consult  him ;  but  he  peremptorily  dis- 
missed all  such  applicants ;  and,  when  seven  females, 
supposed  to  be  possessed,  were  brought  to  him  that  he 
might  exercise  his  power  over  the  evil  spirits,  he  refused 
to  interfere.  He  also  publicly  examined  and  rebuked  a 
juggler,  named  Hartley,  who  pretended  to  magical 
knowledge.  But  these  things  did  not  blind  his  enemies, 
who  continued  to  harass  him  to  such  a  degree,  that  he 
addressed  a  petition  to  James  the  First,  entreating  to  be 
brought  to  trial,  when  the  accusations  preferred  against 
him  might  be  fully  investigated,  and  his  character 
cleared.  The  application,  and  another  to  the  like  effect 
addressed  to  parliament,  were  disregarded.  Dee  had  not 
been  long  established  in  Manchester  when  he  was  secretly 
joined  by  Kelley,  and  they  recommenced  their  search 
after  the  grand  secret, — passing  the  nights  in  making 
various  alchemical  experiments,  or  in  fancied  conferences 
with  invisible  beings. 

Among  other  magical  articles  possessed  by  Doctor  Dee 
was  a  large  globe  of  crystal,  which  he  termed  the  Holy 
Stone,  because  he  believed  it  had  been  brought  him  by 
"  angelical   ministry  ;  "    and  "  in    which,"    according  to 


THE  MAGIC  GLASS.  87 

Meric  Casaubon,  "  and  out  of  which,  by  persons  qualified 
for  it,  and  admitted  to  the  sight  of  it,  all  shapes  and 
figures  mentioned  in  every  action  were  seen,  and  voices 
heard."  The  same  writer  informs  us  it  was  "round- 
shaped,  of  a  pretty  bigness,  and  most  like  unto  crystal." 
Dee  himself  declared  to  the  Emperor  Rodolph,  "that 
the  spirits  had  brought  him  a  stone  of  that  value  that  no 
earthly  kingdom  was  of  such  worthiness  as  to  be  compared 
to  the  virtue  and  dignity  thereof."  He  was  in  the  habit 
of  daily  consulting  this  marvelous  stone,  and  recording 
the  visions  he  saw  therein,  and  the  conferences  he  held 
through  it  with  the  invisible  world. 

Followed  by  Guy  Fawkes  and  Kelley,  the  Doctor  took 
his  way  down  Long  Mill  Gate,  and  stopping  at  an  arched 
gateway  on  the  left,  near  which,  on  the  site  of  the 
modern  structure,  stood  the  public  school,  founded  a  cen- 
tury before  by  Hugh  Oldham,  Bishop  of  Exeter, — he 
unlocked  a  small  wicket,  and  entered  a  spacious  court, 
surrounded  on  one  side  by  high  stone  walls,  and  on  the 
other  by  a  wing  of  the  College. 

Conducting  his  guest  to  the  principal  entrance  of  the 
building,  which  lay  at  the  farther  end  of  the  court, 
Doctor  Dee  ushered  him  into  a  large  chamber,  paneled 
with  oak,  and  having  a  curiously  molded  ceiling, 
ornamented  with  grotesque  sculpture.  This  room,  still 
in  existence,  and  now  occupied  by  the  master  of  the 
school,  formed  Doctor  Dee's  library.  Offering  Fawkes  a 
chair,  the  Doctor  informed  him  that  when  all  was  ready, 
Kelley  should  summon  him,  and,  accompanied  by  his  as- 
sistant, he  withdrew.  Half  an  hour  elapsed  before  Kelley 
returnedo  Motioning  Guy  Fawkes  to  follow  him,  he  led 
the  way  through  several  intricate  passages  to  a  chamber 
which  was  evidently  the  magician's  sacred  retreat.  In  a 
recess  on  one  side  stood  a  table,  covered  with  cabalistic 
characters  and  figures,  referring  to  the  celestial  influences. 
On  it  was  placed  the  holy  stone,  diffusing  such  a  glisten- 
ing radiance  as  is  emitted  by  the  pebble  called  cat's-eye. 
On  the  floor  a  wide  circle  was  described,  in  the  rings  of 


gg  GUY  FAWKES. 

which  magical  cliaracters,  resembling  those  on  the  table, 
were  traced.  In  front  stood,  a  brazier,  filled  with  flaming 
coals ;  and  before  it  hung  a  heavy  black  curtain,  appear- 
ing to  shroud  some  mystery  from  view. 

Desiring  Fawkes  to  place  himself  in  the  center  of  the 
circle,  Doctor  Dee  took  several  ingredients  from  a  basket 
handed  him  by  Kelley,  and  cast  them  into  the  brazier. 
As  each  herb  or  gum  was  ignited,  the  flame  changed  its 
color  ;  now  becoming  crimson,  now  green,  now  blue,  while 
fragrant  or  noxious  odors  loaded  the  atmosphere.  These 
suffumigations  ended,  Dee  seated  himself  on  a  chair  near 
the  table,  whither  he  was  followed  by  Kelley,  and  com- 
manding Fawkes  not  to  move  a  footstep,  as  he  valued  his 
safety,  he  waved  his  wand,  and  began  in  a  solemn  tone  to 
utter  an  invocation.  As  he  continued,  a  hollow  noise  was 
heard  overhead,  which  gradually  increased  in  loudness, 
until  it  appeared  as  if  the  walls  were  tumbling  about 
their  ears, 

"  The  spirits  are  at  hand  ! "  cried  Dee.  "  Do  not  look 
behind  you,  or  they  will  tear  you  in  pieces." 

As  he  spoke,  a  horrible  din  was  heard,  as  of  mingled 
howling,  shrieking,  and  laughter.  It  was  succeeded  by  a 
low  faint  strain  of  music,  which  gradually  died  away, 
and  then  all  was  silent. 

"  All  is  prepared,"  cried  Dee.  "  Now,  what  would  you 
behold  ?  » 

"The  progress  of  the  great  enterprise,"  replied 
FawkeSo 

Doctor  Dee  waved  his  wand.  The  curtains  slowly 
unfolded,  and  Guy  Fawkes  perceived  as  in  a  glass  a  group 
of  dark  figures ;  amongst  which  he  noticed  one  in  all  re- 
spects resembling  himself.  A  priest  was  apparently  pro- 
posing an  oath,  which  the  others  were  uttering. 

"Do  you  recognize  tliem  ?  "  said  Doctor  Dee. 

"  Perfectly,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Look  again,"  said  Dee. 

As  he  spoke  the  figures  melted  away,  and  a  new  scene 
was  presented  on  the  glass.     It  was  a  gloomy  vault,  filled 


THE  MAGIC  GLASS.  89 

with  barrels,  partly  covered  with  fagots  and  billets  of 
wood. 

"  Have  you  seen  enough  ?  "  demanded  Dee. 

"  No,"  replied  Fawkes,  firmly.  "  I  have  seen  what  is 
past.     I  would  behold  that  which  is  to  come." 

"  Look  again,  then,"  rejoined  the  Doctor,  waving  his 
wand. 

For  an  instant  the  glass  was  darkened,  and  nothing 
could  be  discerned  except  the  lurid  flame  and  thick 
smoke  arising  from  the  brazier.  The  next  moment,  an 
icy  chill  shot  through  the  frame  of  Guy  Fawkes  as  he 
beheld  a  throng  of  skeletons  arranged  before  him.  The 
bony  fingers  of  the  foremost  of  the  grisly  assemblage  were 
pointed  towards  an  indistinct  object  at  its  feet.  As  this 
object  gradually  became  more  defined,  Guy  Fawkes  per- 
ceived that  it  was  a  figure  resembling  himself,  stretched 
upon  the  wheel,  and  writhing  in  the  agonies  of  torture. 

He  uttered  an  exclamation  of  terror,  and  the  curtains 
were  instantly  closed. 

Half  an  hour  afterwards,  Guy  Fawkes  quitted  the 
College,  and  returned  to  the  Seven  Stars. 


90  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    PRISON   ON    SALFORD    BRIDGE. 

On  the  following  morning,  Guy  Fawkes  had  a  long 
and  private  conference  with  Father  Oldcorne.  The  priest 
appeared  greatly  troubled  by  the  communication  made 
to  him,  but  he  said  nothing,  and  was  for  some  time  lost 
in  reflection,  and  evidently  weighing  within  himself  what 
course  it  would  be  best  to  pursue.  His  uneasiness  was 
not  without  effect  on  Viviana  Radcliffe,  and  she  ventured 
at  last  to  inquire  whether  he  apprehended  any   new 

danger. 

« I  scarcely  know  what  I  apprehend,  dear  daughter," 
he  answered.  "  But  circumstances  have  occurred  which 
render  it  impossible  we  can  remain  longer  in  our  present 
asylum  with  safety.     We  must  quit  it  at  nightfall." 

"Is  our  retreat  then  discovered?"  inquired  Viviana, 

in  alarm. 

« Not  as  yet,  I  trust,"  replied  Oldcorne  ;  «  but  I  have 
just  ascertained  from  a  messenger  that  the  pursuivant, 
who,  we  thought,  had  departed  for  Chester,  is  still  linger- 
ing within  the  town.  He  has  offered  a  large  reward  for 
my  apprehension,  and  having  traced  us  to  Manchester, 
declares  he  will  leave  no  house  unsearched  till  he  finds  us. 
He  has  got  together  a  fresh  band  of  soldiers,  and  is  now 
visiting  every  place  he.  thinks  likely  to  afford  us  shelter." 
.  "If -this  is  the  case,"  rejoined  Viviana,  "why  remain 
here  a  single  moment  ?    Let  us  fly  at  once." 

"  That  would  avail  nothing, — or  rather,  it  would  expose 
us  to  fresh  risk,  dear  daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne.  "  Every 
approach  to  the  town  is  guarded,  and  soldiers  are  posted 
at  the  corners  of  the  streets,  who  stop  and  examine  each 
suspected  person." 

"  Heaven  protect  us !  "  exclaimed  Viviana. 


THE  PRISON  ON  SALFORD  BRIDGE.  91 

«  But  this  is  not  all,"  continued  the  priest.  "  By  some 
inexplicable  and  mysterious  means,  the  designs  of  certain 
of  the  most  assured  friends  of  the  Catholic  cause  have 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  our  enemies,  and  the  lives 
and  safeties  of  many  worthy  men  will  be  endangered  : 
amongst  others,  that  of  your  father." 

«'  You  terrify  me ! "  cried  Viviana. 

«*  The  rack  shall  force  nothing  from  me,  father,"  said 
Fawkes,  sternly. 

"  Nor  from  me,  my  son,"  rejoined  Oldcorne.  "  I  have 
that  within  me  which  will  enable  me  to  sustain  the 
bitterest  agonies  that  the  persecutors  of  our  Church  can 
inflict." 

"  Nor  shall  it  force  aught  from  me,"  added  Viviana. 
*'  For,  though  you  have  trusted  me  with  nothing  that  can 
implicate  others,  I  plainly  perceive  some  plot  is  in  agita- 
tion for  the  restoration  of  our  religion,  and  I  more  than 
suspect  Mr.  Catesby  is  its  chief  contriver." 

"  Daughter  !  "  exclaimed  Oldcorne,  uneasily. 

«  Fear  nothing,  father,"  she  rejoined.  "  As  I  have  said, 
the  rack  shall  not  force  me  to  betray  you.  Neither  should 
it  keep  me  silent  when  I  feel  that  my  counsel — such  as  it 
is — may  avail  you.  The  course  you  are  pursuing  is  a  dan- 
gerous and  fatal  one  ;  dangerous  to  yourselves,  and  fatal 
to  the  cause  you  would  serve.  Do  not  deceive  yourselves. 
You  are  struggling  hopelessly  and  unrighteously,  and 
Heaven  will  never  assist  an  undertaking  which  has  its 
aim  in  the  terrible  waste  of  life  you  meditate." 

Father  Oldcorne  made  no  reply,  but  walked  apart  with 
Guy  Fawkes ;  and  Viviana  abandoned  herself  to  sorrow- 
ful reflection. 

Shortly  after  this,  the  door  was  suddenly  thrown  open,, 
and  Humphrey  Chetham  rushed  into  the  room.  His  looks 
were  full  of  apprehension,  and  Viviana  was  at  no  loss  to 
perceive  that  some  calamity  was  at  hand. 

"What  is  the  matter  ?  "  she  cried,  rising. 

« The  pursuivant  and  his  men  are  below,"  he  replied. 
"They  are  interrogating  the  hostess,  and  are  about  to 


92  OVY  FAWKES. 

search  the  house.  I  managed  to  pass  them  unper- 
ceived." 

"  We  will  resist  them  to  the  last,"  said  Guy  Fawkes, 
drawing  a  petronel. 

"  Resistance  will  be  in  vain,"  rejoined  Humphrey  Chet- 
ham.     "  They  more  than  treble  our  number." 

"  Is  there  no  means  of  escape  ?  "  asked  Viviana. 

"  None  whatever,"  replied  Chetham.  "  I  hear  them  on 
the  stairs.  The  terrified  hostess  has  not  dared  to  deny 
you,  and  is  conducting  them  hither." 

"  Stand  back ! "  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  striding  towards 
the  door,  "  and  let  me  alone  confront  them.  That  ac- 
cursed pursuivant  has  escaped  me  once.  But  he  shall 
not  do  so  a  second  time." 

"  My  son,"  said  Oldcorne,  advancing  towards  him ; 
"  preserve  yourself,  if  possible.  Your  life  is  of  conse- 
quence to  the  great  cause.  Think  not  of  us — think  not 
of  revenging  yourself  upon  this  caitiff.  But  think  of  the 
high  destiny  for  which  you  are  reserved.  That  window 
offers  a  means  of  retreat.  Avail  vourself  of  it.  Fly  ! — 
Fly!" 

"  Ay,  fly !  "  repeated  Viviana.  "  And  you,  Humphrey 
Chetham, — your  presence  here  can  do  no  good.  Quick  ! 
— they  come  !  " 

"  Nothing  should  induce  me  to  quit  you  at  such  a  mo- 
ment, Viviana,"  replied  Chetham,  "  but  the  conviction 
that  I  may  be  able  to  liberate  you,  should  these  miscreants 
convey  you  to  prison." 

"  Fly  1 — fly,  my  son,"  cried  Oldcorne.  "  They  are  at 
the  door." 

Thus  urged,  Guy  Fawkes  reluctantly  yielded  to  Old- 
corne's  entreaties  and  sprang  through  the  window.  He 
was  followed  by  Chetham.  Viviana  darted  to  the  case- 
ment, and  saw  that  they  had  alighted  in  safety  on  the 
ground,  and  were  flying  swiftly  up  Shude  Hill.  Mean- 
while, the  pursuivant  had  reached  the  door,  which  Chet- 
ham had  taken  the  precaution  to  fasten,  and  was  trying 
to  burst  it  open.    The  bolts  offered  but  a  feeble  resistance 


THE  PRISON  ON  SALFORD  BRIDGE.  93 

to  his  fury,  and  the  next  moment  he  dashed  into  the  room, 
at  the  head  of  a  band  of  soldiers. 

"  Seize  them !  "  he  cried.  "  Ha  I "  he  added,  glancing 
round  the  room  with  a  look  of  disappointment,  "  where 
are  the  others  ?  Where  is  the  soldier  in  the  Spanish  garb  ? 
Where  is  Humphrey  Chetham  ?  Confess  at  once,  dog ! " 
he  continued,  seizing  the  priest  by  the  throat,  "  or  I  will 
pluck  the  secret  from  your  breast." 

"  Do  not  harm  him,"  mterposed  Viviana.  "  I  will 
answer  the  question.     They  are  fled." 

"  Fled  !  "  echoed  the  pursuivant  in  consternation. 
"How?" 

"  Through  that  window,"  replied  Viviana. 

"  After  them  !  "  cried  the  pursuivant  to  some  of  his  at- 
tendants. "  Take  the  soldier,  dead  or  alive  I  And  now," 
he  continued,  as  his  orders  were  obeyed,  "  you,  Father 
Oldcorne,  Jesuit  and  traitor ;  and  you,  Viviana  Radcliff e, 
his  shelterer  and  abettor,  I  shall  convey  you  both  to  the 
prison  on  Salford  Bridge.  Seize  them,  and  bring  them 
along." 

"  Touch  me  not,"  rejoined  Viviana,  pushing  the  men 
aside,  who  rudely  advanced  to  obey  their  leader's  com- 
mand. "  You  have  no  warrant  for  this  brutality.  I  am 
ready  to  attend  you.     Take  my  arm,  father." 

Abashed  at  this  reproof,  the  pursuivant  stalked  out  of 
the  room.  Surrounded  by  the  soldiers,  Viviana  and  the 
priest  followed.  The  sad  procession  was  attended  by 
crowds  to  the  very  door  of  the  prison,  where,  by  the 
pursuivant's  commands,  they  were  locked  in  separate 
cells. 

The  cell  in  which  Viviana  was  confined  was  a  small 
chamber  at  the  back  of  the  prison,  and  on  the  upper  story. 
It  had  a  small  grated  window  overlooking  the  river.  It 
has  already  been  mentioned  that  this  prison  was  origin- 
ally a  chapel  built  in  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Third,  and 
had  only  recently  been  converted  into  a  place  of  security 
for  recusants.  The  chamber  allotted  to  Viviana  was  con- 
trived in  the  roof,  and  was  so  low  that  she  could  scarcely 


94  GUY  FAWKES. 

stand  upright  in  it.     It  was  furnished  with  a  chair,  a 
small  table,  and  a  straw  pallet. 

The  hours  passed  wearily  with  Yiviana  as  they  were 
marked  by  the  deep-toned  clock  of  the  Collegiate  Church, 
the  tall  tower  of  which  fronted  her  window.  Oppressed 
by  the  most  melancholy  reflections,  she  was  for  some  time  a 
prey  almost  to  despair.  On  whatever  side  she  looked,  the 
prospect  was  equally  cheerless,  and  her  sole  desire  was 
that  she  might  find  a  refuge  from  her  cares  in  the  seclu- 
sion of  a  convent.  For  this  she  prayed, — and  she  prayed 
also  that  Heaven  would  soften  the  hearts  of  her  oppres- 
sors, and  enable  those  who  suffered  to  endure  their  yoke 
with  patience.  In  the  evening  provisions  were  brought 
her,  and  placed  upon  the  table,  together  with  a  lamp,  by 
a  surly- looking  jailer.  But  Viviana  had  no  inclination  to 
eat,  and  left  them  untouched.  Neither  could  she  prevail 
upon  herself  to  lie  down  on  the  wretched  pallet,  and  she 
therefore  determined  to  pass  the  night  in  the  chair. 

After  some  hours  of  watchfulness,  her  eyelids  closed, 
and  she  continued  to  slumber  until  she  was  aroused  by  a 
slight  noise  at  the  window.  Starting  at  the  sound,  she 
flew  towards  it,  and  perceived  m  the  gloom  the  face  of  a 
man.  She  would  have  uttered  a  loud  cry,  when  the  cir- 
cumstances of  her  situation  rushed  to  her  mind,  and  the 
possibility  that  it  might  be  a  friend  checked  her.  The 
next  moment  satisfied  her  that  she  had  acted  rightly.  A 
voice,  which  she  recognized  as  that  of  Humphrey  Chetham, 
called  to  her  by  name  in  a  low  tone,  bidding  her  fear  noth- 
ing, as  he  was  come  to  set  her  free. 

"  How  have  you  managed  to  reach  this  window  ?  "  asked 
Viviana. 

"  By  a  rope-ladder,"  he  answered.  "  I  contrived  in  the 
darkness  to  clamber  upon  the  roof  of  the  prison  from  the 
parapets  of  the  bridge,  and,  after  securing  the  ladder  to  a 
projection,  dropped  the  other  end  into  a  boat,  rowed  by  Guy 
Fawkes,  and  concealed  beneath  the  arches  of  the  bridge. 
If  I  can  remove  this  bar  so  as  to  allow  you  to  pass  through 
the  window,  dare  you  descend  the  ladder  ?  " 


THE  PRISON  ON  SALFORD  BRIDGE.  95 

"  No,"  replied  Yiviana,  shuddering.  "  My  brain  reels  at 
the  mere  idea." 

"  Think  of  the  fate  you  will  escape,"  urged  Chetham, 

"  And  what  will  become  of  Father  Oldcorne  ?  "  asked 
Viviana.     "  Where  is  he  ?  " 

"In  the  cell  immediately  beneath  you,"  replied 
Chetham. 

"  Can  you  not  liberate  him  ?  "  she  continued, 

"Assuredly,  if  he  will  risk  the  descent,"  answered 
Chetham,  reluctantly. 

"Free  him  first,"  rejoined  Viviana,  "and  at  all  hazards 
I  will  accompany  you." 

The  young  merchant  made  no  reply,  but  disappeared 
from  the  window.  Viviana  strained  her  gaze  downward ; 
but  it  was  too  dark  to  allow  her  to  see  anything.  She, 
however,  heard  a  noise  like  that  occasioned  by  a  file  ;  and 
shortly  afterwards  a  few  muttered  words  informed  her 
that  the  priest  was  passing  through  the  window.  The 
cords  of  the  ladder  shook  against  the  bars  of  her  window, 
— and  she  held  her  breath  for  fear.  From  this  state 
of  suspense  she  was  relieved  in  a  few  minutes  by 
Humphrey  Chetham,  who  informed  her  that  Oldcorne 
had  descended  in  safety,  and  was  in  the  boat  with  Guy 
Fawkes, 

"  I  will  fulfil  my  promise,"  replied  Viviana,  trembling ; 
"but  I  fear  my  strength  will  fail  me." 

"You  had  better  find  death  below  than  tarry  here," 
replied  Humphrey  Chetham,  who  as  he  spoke  was  rapidly 
filing  through  the  iron  bar.  "  In  a  few  minutes  this  im- 
pediment will  be  removed." 

The  young  merchant  worked  hard,  and  in  a  short  time 
the  stout  bar  yielded  to  his  efl:orts, 

"  Now,  then,"  he  cried,  sj)ringing  into  the  room,  "  you 
are  free." 

"  I  dare  not  make  the  attempt,"  said  Viviana ;  "  my 
strength  utterly  fails  me." 

"  Nay,  then,"  he  replied  ;  "  I  will  take  the  risk  upon  my- 
self.   You  must  not  remain  here." 


96  GUY  FAWKES. 

So  saying  he  caught  her  in  his  arms,  and  bore  her 
through  the  window. 

With  some  difficulty,  and  no  little  risk,  he  succeeded  in 
gaining  a  footing  on  the  ladder.  This  accomplished,  he 
began  slowly  to  descend.  When  half-way  down,  he  found 
he  had  overrated  his  strength,  and  he  feared  he  should  be 
compelled  to  quit  his  hold ;  but,  nerved  by  his  passion,  he 
held  on,  and  making  a  desperate  effort,  completed  the 
descent  in  safety. 


THE  PURSUIVANT.  9^ 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  FATE  OF  THE  PURSUIVANT. 

Assisted  by  the  stream,  and  plying  his  oars  with  great 
rapidity,  Guy  Fawlies  soon  left  the  town  far  behind  him  ; 
nor  did  he  relax  his  exertions  until  checked  by  Humphrey 
Chetham.  He  then  ceased  rowing,  and  directed  the  boat 
towards  the  left  bank  of  the  river. 

"  Here  we  propose  to  land,"  observed  the  young  mer- 
chant to  Viviana.  "  We  are  not  more  than  a  hundred 
yards  from  Ordsall  Cave,  where  you  can  take  refuge  for  a 
short  time,  while  I  proceed  to  the  Hall,  and  ascertain 
whether  you  can  return  to  it  with  safety." 

"  I  place  myself  entirely  in  your  hands,"  she  replied  ; 
"  but  I  fear  such  a  course  will  be  to  rush  into  the  very 
face  of  danger.  Oh !  that  I  could  join  my  father  at  Holy- 
well !     With  him  I  should  feel  secure." 

"  Means  may  be  found  to  effect  your  wishes,"  returned 
Humphrey  Chetham  ;  "  but,  after  the  suffering  you  have 
recently  endvired,  it  will  scarcely  be  prudent  to  undertake 
so  long  a  journey  without  a  few  hours'  repose.  To- 
morrow,— or  the  next  day, — you  may  set  out." 

"  I  am  fully  equal  to  it  now,"  rejoined  Viviana,  eagerly ; 
"  and  any  fatigue  I  may  undergo  will  not  equal  my  pres- 
ent anxiety.  You  have  already  done  so  much  for  me, 
that  I  venture  to  presume  still  further  upon  your  kind- 
ness. Provide  some  means  of  conveyance  for  me  and  for 
Father  Oldcorne  to  Chester,  and  I  shall  forever  be  be- 
holden to  you." 

"  I  will  not  only  do  what  you  desire,  Viviana,  if  it  be 
possible,"  answered  Chetham  ;  "  but,  if  you  will  allow  me, 
I  will  serve  as  your  escort." 

"  And  I,  also,"  added  Guy  Fawkes. 


98  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  All  I  fear  is,  that  your  strength  may  fail  yon,"  con- 
tinued the  young  merchant,  in  a  tone  of  uneasiness. 

"  Fear  nothing  then,"  replied  Viviana.  "  I  am  made  of 
firmer  material  than  you  imagine.  Think  only  of  what 
you  can  do,  and  doubt  not  my  ability  to  do  it,  also." 

"  I  ever  deemed  you  of  a  courageous  nature,  daughter," 
observed  Oldcorne ;  "  but  your  resolution  surpasses  my 
belief." 

By  this  time  the  boat  had  approached  the  shore.  Leap- 
ing ujion  the  rocky  bank,  the  young  merchant  assisted 
Viviana  to  land,  and  then  performed  the  same  service  for 
the  priest.  Guy  Fawkes  was  the  last  to  disembark  ;  and, 
having  pulled  the  skiff  aground,  he  followed  the  others, 
who  waited  for  him  at  a  short  distance.  The  night  was 
profoundly  dark,  and  the  path  they  had  taken,  being 
shaded  by  large  trees,  was  scarcely  discernible.  Carefully 
guiding  Viviana,  who  leaned  on  him  for  support,  the 
young  merchant  proceeded  at  a  slow  pace,  and  with  the 
utmost  caution.  Suddenly,  they  were  surprised  and 
alarmed  by  a  vivid  blaze  of  light  bursting  through  the 
trees  on  the  left. 

"  Some  building  must  be  on  fire  ! "  exclaimed  Viviana. 

"It  is  Ordsall  Hall, — it  is  your  father's  residence," 
cried  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  It  is  the  work  of  that  accursed  pursuivant,  I  will  be 
sworn,"  said  Guy  Fawkes. 

"  If  it  be  so,  may  Heaven's  fire  consume  him ! "  rejoined 
Oldcorne. 

"  Alas  !  alas ! "  cried  Viviana,  bursting  into  tears,  "  I 
thought  m}'self  equal  to  every  calamity;  but  this  new 
stroke  of  fate  is  more  than  I  can  bear." 

As  he  spoke,  the  conflagration  evidently  increased. 
The  sky  was  illumined  by  the  red  reflection  of  the  flames ; 
and  as  the  party  hurried  forward  to  a  rising  ground, 
whence  a  better  view  could  be  obtained  of  the  spectacle, 
they  saw  the  dark  walls  of  the  ancient  mansion  apparently 
wrapped  in  the  devouring  element. 

«  Let  us  hasten  thither,"  cried  Viviana,  distractedly. 


.  THE  PURSUIVANT.  99 

"  I  and  Guy  Fawkes  will  fly  there,"  replied  the  young 
merchant,  "  and  render  all  the  assistance  in  our  power. 
But,  first,  let  me  convey  you  to  the  cave." 

More  dead  than  alive,  Viviana  suffered  herself  to  be 
borne  in  that  direction.  Making  his  way  over  every  im- 
pediment, Chetham  soon  reached  the  excavation ;  and  de- 
positing his  lovely  burthen  upon  the  stone  couch,  and 
leaving  her  in  charge  of  the  priest,  he  hurried  with  Guy 
Fawkes  towards  the  Hall. 

On  arriving  at  the  termination  of  the  avenue,  they 
found,  to  their  great  relief,  that  it  was  not  the  main 
structure,  but  an  outbuilding  which  was  in  flames,  and 
from  its  situation  the  young  merchant  conceived  it  to  be 
the  stables.  As  soon  as  they  made  this  discovery,  they 
slackened  their  pace,  being  apprehensive,  from  the  shouts 
and  other  sounds  that  reached  them,  that  some  hostile 
party  might  be  among  the  assemblage.  Crossing  the 
drawbridge — which  was  fortunately  lowered, — they  were 
about  to  shape  their  course  towards  the  stables,  which  lay 
at  the  further  side  of  the  Hall,  when  they  perceived  the 
old  steward,  Heydocke,  standing  at  the  doorway  and 
wringing  his  hands  in  distraction.  Humphrey  Chetham 
immediately  called  to  him. 

"  I  should  know  that  voice  !  "  cried  the  old  man,  step- 
ping forward.  "  Ah  !  Mr.  Chetham,  is  it  you  ?  You  arc 
arrived  at  a  sad  time,  sir — a  sad  time — to  see  the  old 
house,  where  I  have  dwelt,  man  and  boy,  sixty  years  and 
more,  in  flames.  But  one  calamity  has  trodden  upon  the 
heels  of  another.  Ever  since  Sir  William  departed  for 
Holywell  nothing  has  gone  right — nothing  whatever. 
First,  the  house  was  searched  by, the  pvirsuivant  and  his 
gang  ;  then,  my  young  mistress  disappeared ;  then,  it  was 
rifled  by  these  plunderers ;  and  now,  to  crown  all,  it  is  on 
fire,  and  will  speedily  be  burnt  to  the  ground." 

"  Say  not  so,"  replied  the  young  merchant.  "  The 
flames  have  not  yet  reached  the  Hall ;  and,  if  exertion  is 
used,  they  may  be  extinguished  without  further  mis- 
chief." 


v.fl 


100  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Let  those  who  have  kindled  them  extinguish  them," 
replied  Heydocke,  sullenly.  "I  will  not  raise  hand 
more." 

"  Who  are  the  incendiaries  ?  "  demanded  Fawkes. 

"  The  pursuivant  and  his  myrmidons,"  replied  Hey- 
docke. "  They  came  here  to-night ;  and  after  ransacking 
the  house  under  pretense  of  procuring  further  evidence 
against  my  master,  and  carrying  off  everything  valuable 
they  could  collect, — plate,  jewels,  ornaments,  money,  and 
even  wearing-apparel, — they  ended  by  locking  up  all  the 
servants, — except  myself,  who  managed  to  elude  their 
vigilance, — in  the  cellar,  and  setting  fire  to  the  stables." 

"  Wretches !  "  exclaimed  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"Wretches,  indeed!"  repeated  the  steward.  "But 
this  is  not  all  the  villainy  they  contemplate.  I  had  con- 
cealed myself  in  the  store-room,  under  a  heap  of  lumber, 
and  in  searching  for  me  they  chanced  upon  a  barrel  of 
gunpowder — " 

"  Well ! "  interrupted  Guy  Fawkes. 

"  Well,  sir,"  pursued  Heydocke,  "  I  heard  the  pursuivant 
remark  to  one  of  his  comrades, '  This  is  a  lucky  discovery. 
If  we  can't  find  the  steward,  we'll  blow  him  and  the  old 
house  to  the  devil.'  Just  then,  some  one  came  to  tell 
him  I  was  hidden  in  the  stables,  and  the  whole  troop 
adjourned  thither.  But  being  balked  of  their  prey,  I 
suppose,  they  wreaked  their  vengeance  in  the  way  you 
perceive." 

"  No  doubt,"  rejoined  Humphrey  Chetham.  "  But  they 
shall  bitterly  rue  it.  I  will  myself  represent  the  affair  to 
the  Commissioners." 

"  It  will  be  useless,"  groaned  Heydocke.  "  There  is  no 
law  to  protect  the  property  of  a  Catholic." 

"  Where  is  the  barrel  of  gunpowder  you  spoke  of  ? " 
asked  Guy  Fawkes,  as  if  struck  by  a  sudden  idea. 

"  The  villains  took  it  with  them  when  they  quitted  the 
store-room,"  replied  the  steward.  "  I  suppose  they  have 
got  it  in  the  yard." 

"  They  have  lighted  a  fire  which  shall  be  quenched 


THE  PURSUIVANT.  lOl 

with  their  blood,"  rejomed  Fawkes,  fiercely.  "FuUow 
me.     I  may  need  you  both." 

So  saying,  he  darted  off,  and  turning  the  corner,  came 
in  front  of  the  blazing  pile.  Occupying  one  side  of  a 
large  quadrangular  court,  the  stables  were  wholly  dis- 
connected with  the  Hall,  and  though  the  fire  burned 
furiously,  yet  as  the  wind  carried  the  flames  and  siaarks 
in  a  contrary  direction,  it  was  possible  the  latter  building 
might  escape  if  due  precaution  were  taken.  So  far,  how- 
ever, from  this  being  the  case,  it  seemed  the  object  of 
the  bystanders  to  assist  the  progress  of  the  conflagration. 
Several  horses,  saddled  and  bridled,  had  been  removed 
from  the  stable,  and  placed  within  an  open  cowhouse. 
To  these  Guy  Fawkes  called  Chetham's  attention,  and 
desired  him  and  the  old  steward  to  secure  some  of  them. 
Hastily  giving  directions  to  Heydocke,  the  young  mer- 
chant obeyed, — sprang  on  the  back  of  the  nearest  courser, 
and  seizing  the  bridles  of  two  others,  rode  off  with  them. 
His  example  was  followed  by  Heydocke,  and  one  steed 
only  was  left.  Such  was  the  confusion  and  clamor  pre- 
vailing around,  that  the  above  proceeding  passed  un- 
noticed. 

Guy  Fawkes,  meanwhile,  ensconcing  himself  behind 
the  court-gate,  looked  about  for  the  barrel  of  gunpowder. 
For  some  time  he  could  discover  no  trace  of  it.  At  length, 
beneath  a  shed,  not  far  from  him,  he  perceived  a  soldier 
seated  upon  a  small  cask,  which  he  had  no  doubt  was  the 
object  he  was  in  search  of.  So  intent  was  the  man  upon 
the  spectacle  before  him,  that  he  was  wholly  unaware  of 
the  approach  of  an  enemy ;  and  creeping  noiselessly  up  to 
him,  Guy  Fawkes  felled  him  to  the  ground  with  a  blow 
from  the  heavy  butt-end  of  his  petronel.  The  action  was 
not  perceived  by  the  others ;  and  carrying  the  cask  out 
of  the  yard,  Fawkes  burst  in  the  lid,  and  ascertained  that 
the  contents  were  what  they  had  been  represented.  He 
then  glanced  around,  to  see  how  he  could  best  execute 
his  purpose. 

On  the  top  of  the  wall  adjoining  the  stables  he  beheld 


102  <^UY  FAWKES. 

the  pursuivant,  with  three  or  four  soldiers,  giving  direc- 
tions and  issuing  orders.  Another  and  lower  wall,  form- 
ing the  opposite  side  of  the  quadrangle,  and  built  on  the 
edge  of  the  moat,  ajiproaclied  the  scene  of  the  fire,  and 
on  this,  Guy  Fawkes,  with  the  barrel  of  gunpowder  on 
his  shoulder,  mounted.  Concealing  himself  behind  a 
tree  which  overshadowed  it,  he  watched  a  favorable 
moment  for  his  enterprise. 

He  had  not  to  wait  long.  Prompted  by  some  undefi- 
nable  feeling,  which  caused  him  to  rush  upon  his  destruc- 
tion, the  pursuivant  ventured  upon  the  roof  of  the  stables, 
and  was  followed  by  his  companions.  No  sooner  did  this 
occur,  than  Guy  Fawkes  dashed  forward,  and  hurled  the 
barrel  with  all  his  force  into  the  midst  of  the  flames, 
throwing  himself  at  the  same  moment  into  the  moat. 
The  explosion  was  instantaneous  and  tremendous ; — so 
loud  as  to  be  audible  even  under  the  water.  Its  effects 
were  terrible.  The  bodies  of  the  pursuivant  and  hL<; 
companions  were  blown  into  the  air,  and  carried  to  the 
further  side  of  the  moat.  Of  those  standing  before  the 
building,  several  were  destroyed,  and  all  more  or  less 
injured.  The  walls  were  thrown  down  by  the  concussion, 
and  the  roof  and  its  fiery  fragments  projected  into  the 
moat.  An  effectual  stop  was  put  to  the  conflagration; 
and,  when  Guy  Fawkes  rose  to  the  boiling  and  agitated 
surface  of  the  water,  the  flames  were  entirely  extinguished. 
Hearing  groans  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  moat,  he 
forced  his  way  through  the  blazing  beams,  which  were 
hissing  near  him  ;  and  snatching  up  a  still  burning  frag- 
ment, hastened  in  the  direction  of  the  sound.  In  the 
blackened  and  mutilated  object  that  met  his  gaze,  he 
recognized  the  pursuivant.  The  dying  wretch  also  rec- 
ognized him,  and  attempted  to  speak ;  but  in  vain — his 
tongue  refused  its  office,  and  with  a  horrible  attempt  at 
articulation,  he  expired. 

Alarmed  by  the  explosion,  the  domestics, — who  it  has 
already  been  mentioned  were  confined  in  the  cellar, — were 
rendered  so  desperate  by  their  fears,  that  they  contrived 


THE  I^URSUIVANT.  103 

to  break  out  of  their  prison,  and  now  hastened  to  the 
stables  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  report.  Leaving 
them  to  assist  the  sufferers,  whose  dreadful  groans 
awakened  some  feelings  of  compunction  in  his  iron  breast, 
Guy  Fawkes  caught  the  steed, — which  had  broken  its 
bridle  and  rushed  off,  and  now  stood  shivering,  shaking, 
and  drenched  in  moisture  near  the  drawbridge, — and, 
mounting  it,  galloped  towards  the  cave. 

At  its  entrance,  he  was  met  by  Humphrey  Chetham 
and  Oldcorne,  who  eagerly  inquired  what  had  happened. 

Guy  Fawkes  briefly  explained. 

"  It  is  the  hand  of  Heaven  manifested  by  your  arm,  my 
son,"  observed  the  priest.  "  Would  that  it  had  stricken 
the  tyrant  and  apostate  prince  by  whom  our  church  is 
persecuted !     But  his  turn  will  speedily  arrive." 

"  Peace,  father ! "  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  sternly. 

*'  I  do  not  lament  the  fate  of  the  pursuivant,"  observed 
Humphrey  Chetham.  "  But  this  is  a  frightful  waste  of 
human  life — and  in  such  a  cause ! " 

"  It  is  the  cause  of  Heaven,  young  sir,"  rejoined  the 
priest,  angrily. 

"  I  do  not  think  so,"  returned  Chetham ;  "  and,  but  for 
my  devotion  to  Viviana,  I  would  have  no  further  share 
in  it." 

"  You  are  at  liberty  to  leave  us,  if  you  think  proper," 
retorted  the  priest,  coldly. 

"  Nay,  say  not  so,  father,"  interposed  Viviana,  who  had 
been  an  unobserved  listener  to  the  foregoing  discourse. 
"You  owe  your  life — your  liberty,  to  Mr.  Chetham." 

"  True,  daughter,"  replied  the  priest.  "  I  have  been  too 
hasty,  and  entreat  his  forgiveness." 

"You  have  it,  reverend  sir,"  rejoined  the  young  mer- 
chant. "  And  now.  Master  Heydocke,"  he  added,  turning 
to  the  steward,  "  you  may  return  to  the  Hall  with  safety. 
No  one  will  molest  you  more,  and  your  presence  may  be 
needed." 

"  But  my  young  mistress — "  said  Heydocke. 

"  I  am  setting  out  for  Holywell  to  join  ray  father,"  re- 


lOi  GtTY  FAWKES. 

plied  Viviana.  "  You  will  receive  our  instructions  from 
that  place." 

"It  is  well,"  returned  the  old  man,  bowing  respectfully. 
«  Heaven  shield  us  from  further  misfortune  ! " 

Humphrey  Chetham  having  assisted  Viviana  into  the 
saddle,  and  the  rest  of  the  party  having  mounted,  they 
took  the  road  to  Chester,  while  Heydocke  returned  to  the 
Hall. 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  105 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE    PILGKIMAGE    TO    SAINT    WINIFKED's    WELL. 

Early  on  the  following  morning,  the  party,  who  had 
ridden  hard,  and  had  paused  only  for  a  short  time  at 
Knutsford  to  rest  their  steeds,  approached  the  ancient 
and  picturesque  citj'-  of  Chester.  Skirting  its  high,  and 
then  partly  fortified  walls,  above  which  appeared  the 
massive  tower  of  the  venerable  cathedral,  they  passed 
through  the  east -gate,  and  proceeding  along  the  street 
deriving  its  name  from  that  entrance,  were  about  to  halt 
before  the  door  of  a  large  hostel,  called  the  Saint  Wer- 
burgh's  Abbey,  when,  to  their  great  surprise,  they  per- 
ceived Catesby  riding  towards  them. 

"  I  thought  I  could  not  be  mistaken,"  cried  the  latter, 
as  he  drew  near  and  saluted  Viviana.  "  I  was  about  to 
set  out  for  Manchester  with  a  despatch  to  you  from  your 
father.  Miss  Radcliiie,  when  this  most  unexpected  and 
fortunate  encounter  spares  me  the  journey.  But  may  I 
ask  why  I  see  you  here,  and  thus  attended  ?  "  he  added, 
glancing  uneasily  at  Humphrey  Chetham, 

A  few  words  from  Father  Oldcorne  explained  all. 
Catesby  affected  to  bend  his  brow,  and  appear  concerned 
at  the  relation.  But  he  could  scarcely  repress  his  satis- 
faction. 

"  Sir  William  Radclifife  mi^s^  joinus  now,"  he  whispered 
to  the  priest. 

"He  must — he  shall,''''  replied  Oldcorne,  in  the  same 
tone. 

"  Your  father  wishes  you  to  join  him  at  Holt,  Miss 
Radcliffe,"  remarked  Catesby,  turning  to  her,  "  whence 
the   pilgrimage   starts    to-morrow   for   Saint  "Winifred's 


106  GUY  FAWKES. 

Well.  There  are  already  nearly  thirty  devout  persons 
assembled." 

"  Indeed  1 "  replied  Yiviana.  "  May  I  inquire  their 
names  ?  " 

»'  Sir  Everard  and  Lady  Digby,"  replied  Catesby ;  "  the 
Lady  Anne  Vaux  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Brooksby ;  Mr. 
Ambrose  Rookwood  and  his  wife,  the  two  Winters,  Tres- 
ham,  Wright,  Fathers  Garnet  and  Fisher,  and  many 
others,  in  all  probability  unknown  to  you.  The  proces- 
sion started  ten  days  ago  from  Gothurst,  in  Buckingham- 
shire, Sir  Everard  Digby's  residence,  and  proceeded  from 
thence  by  slow  stages  to  Norbrook  and  Haddington,  at 
each  of  which  houses  it  halted  for  some  days.  Yester- 
day, it  reached  Holt,  and  starts,  as  I  have  just  told  you, 
to-morrow  for  Holywell.  If  you  are  so  disposed,  you  will 
be  able  to  attend  it." 

"  I  will  gladly  do  so,"  replied  Viviana.  "  And  since  I 
find  it  is  not  necessary  to  hurry  forward,  1  will  rest  my- 
self for  a  short  time  here." 

So  saying,  she  dismounted,  and  the  whole  party  entered 
the  hostel.  Viviana  withdrew  to  seek  a  short  repose,  and 
glance  over  her  father's  letter,  while  Catesby,  Guy  Fawkes, 
and  Oldcorne,  were  engaged  in  deep  consultation.  Hum- 
phrey Chetham,  perceiving  that  his  attendance  was  no 
further  required,  and  that  he  was  an  object  of  suspicion 
and  dislike  to  Catesby, — for  whom  he  also  entertained 
a  similar  aversion, — prepared  to  return.  And  when 
Viviana  made  her  appearance,  he  advanced  to  bid  her 
farewell. 

"  I  can  be  of  no  further  service  to  you,  Viviana,"  he 
said,  in  a  mournful  tone  ;  "  and  as  my  presence  might  be 
as  unwelcome  to  your  father,  as  it  seems  to  be  to  others 
of  your  friends,  I  will  now  take  my  leave." 

"  Farewell,  Mr.  Chetham,"  she  replied,  "  I  will  not  at- 
tempt to  oppose  your  departure ;  for,  much  as  I  grieve 
to  lose  you — and  that  I  do  so  these  tears  will  testify, — I 
feel  that  it  is  for  the  best.  I  owe  you  much — more — far 
more  than  I  can  ever  repay.    It  would  be  unworthy  in 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  107 

me,  and  unfair  to  you,  to  say  that  I  do  not,  and  shall  not 
ever  feel  the  deepest  interest  in  you ;  that,  next  to  my 
father,  there  is  no  one  whom  I  regard — nay,  whom  I  love 
so  much." 

"  Love  1  Viviana  ?  "  echoed  the  young  merchant,  trem- 
bling. 

"Love,   Mr.   Chethara,"  she   continued,  turning  very 

>-  pale ;  "  since  you  compel  me  to  repeat  the  word.     I  avow 

it  boldly,  because — "  and  her  voice   faltered, — "  I  would 

not  have  you  suppose  me  ungrateful,  and  because  I  never 

can  be  yours." 

"  I  will  not  attempt  to  dissuade  you  from  the  fatal  de- 
termination you  have  formed  of  burying  your  charms  in 
a  cloister,"  rejoined  Humphrey  Chetham.  "  But,  oh !  if 
you  do  love  me,  why  condemn  yourself — why  condemn 
me  to  hopeless  misery  ?  " 

"  I  will  tell  you  why,"  replied  Viviana.  "  Because  you 
are  not  of  my  faith ;  and  because  I  never  will  wed  a 
heretic." 

"  I  am  answered,"  replied  the  young  merchant,  sadly. 

"Mr.  Chetham,"  interposed  Oldcorne,  who  had  ap- 
proached them  unperceived ;  it  is  in  your  power  to  change 
Viviana's  determination." 

"  How  ?  "  asked  the  young  merchant,  starting. 

"  By  being  reconciled  to  the  Church  of  Rome." 

"  Then  it  will  remain  unaltered,"  replied  Chetham, 
firmly. 

"  And,  if  Mr.  Chetham  would  consent  to  this  proposal, 
JT would  not,"  said  Viviana.  "Farewell,"  she  added,  ex- 
,  tending  her  hand  to  him,  which  he  pressed  to  his  lips. 
"  Do  not  let  us  prolong  an  interview  so  painful  to  us 
both.  The  best  wish  I  can  desire  for  you  is,  that  we  may 
never  meet  again." 

Without  another  word,  and  without  hazarding  a  look 
at  the  object  of  his  affections,  Chetham  rushed  out  of  the 
room,  and  mounting  his  horse,  rode  off  in  the  direction 
of  Manchester, 

« Daughter,"  observed   Oldcorne,   as   soon  as  he  was 


lOS  GtJY  FAWKES. 

gone,  "  I  cannot  too  highly  approve  of  your  conduct,  or 
too  warmly  applaud  the  mastery  you  display  over  your 
feelings.     But "  and  he  hesitated. 

"  But  what,  father  ?  "  cried  Yiviana  eagerly,  "  Do  you 
think  I  have  done  wrong  in  dismissing  him  ?  " 

"  By  no  means,  dear  daughter,"  replied  the  priest. 
"  You  have  acted  most  discreetly.  But  you  will  forgive 
me  if  I  urge  you — nay,  implore  you  not  to  take  the  veil ; 
but  rather  to  bestow  your  hand  upon  some  Catholic 
gentleman " 

"  Such  as  Mr.  Catesby,"  interrupted  Viviana,  glancing 
in  the  direction  of  the  indi^idual  she  mentioned,  who  was 
watching  them  narrowly  from  the  further  end  of  the 
room. 

"  Ay,  Mr.  Catesby,"  repeated  Oldcorne,  affecting  not  to 
notice  the  scornful  emphasis  laid  on  the  name.  "  None 
more  fitting  could  be  found,  nor  more  worthy  of  you.  Our 
Church  has  not  a  more  zealous  servant  and  upholder ; 
and  he  will  be  at  once  a  father  and  a  husband  to  you. 
Such  a  union  would  be  highly  profitable  to  our  religion. 
And  though  it  is  well  for  those  whose  hearts  are  bur- 
thened  with  affliction,  and  who  are  unable  to  render  any 
active  service  to  their  faith,  to  retire  from  the  world,  it 
behooves  every  sister  of  the  Romish  Church  to  support  it 
at  a  juncture  like  the  present,  at  any  sacrifice  of  personal 
feeling." 

"  Urge  me  no  more,  father,"  replied  Viviana,  firmly. 
"  I  will  make  every  sacrifice  for  my  religion,  consistent 
with  principle  and  feeling.  But  I  will  not  make  this  ; 
neither  am  I  required  to  make  it.  And  I  beg  j^ou  -svill 
entreat  Mr.  CatesVjy  to  desist  from  further  importunity." 

Oldcorne  bowed  and  retired.  Nor  was  another  syllable 
exchanged  between  them  prior  to  their  departure. 

Crossing  the  old  bridge  over  the  Dee,  then  defended  at 
each  extremity  by  a  gate  and  tower,  the  party  took  the 
road  to  Holt,  where  they  arrived  in  about  an  hour.  The 
recent  conversation  had  thrown  a  restraint  over  them, 
which  was  not  removed  during  the  journey.    Habitually 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  109 

taciturn,  as  has  already  been  remarked,  Guy  Fawkes 
seemed  gloomier  and  more  thoughtful  than  ever;  and 
though  he  rode  by  the  side  of  Viviana,  he  did  not  volun- 
teer a  remark,  and  scarcely  appeared  conscious  of  her 
presence.  Catesby  and  Oldcorne  kept  aloof,  and  it  was 
not  until  they  came  in  sight  of  the  little  to^vn  which 
formed  their  destination,  that  the  former  galloped  for- 
ward, and  striking  into  the  path  on  the  right,  begged 
Yiviana  to  follow  him.  A  turn  in  the  road  shortly  after- 
wards showed  them  a  large  mansion  screened  by  a  grove 
of  beech-trees. 

"  That  is  the  house  to  which  we  are  going,"  observed 
Catesby. 

And  as  he  spoke,  they  approached  a  lodge,  the  gates 
of  which  being  opened  by  an  attendant,  admitted  them 
to  the  avenue. 

Viviana's  heart  throbbed  with  delight  at  the  antici- 
pated meeting  with  her  father ;  but  she  could  not  repress 
a  feeling  of  anxiety  at  the  distressing  intelligence  she  had 
to  impart  to  him.  As  she  drew  near  the  house  she  per- 
ceived him  walking  beneath  the  shade  of  the  trees 
with  two  other  persons  ;  and  quickening  her  pace,  sprang 
from  her  steed,  and  almost  before  he  was  aware  of  it  was 
in  his  arms. 

"  Why  do  I  see  you  here  so  unexpectedly,  my  dear 
child  ?  "  cried  Sir  "William  Radcliffe,  as  soon  as  he  had 
recovered  from  the  surprise  which  her  sudden  appear- 
ance occasioned  him.  "  Mr.  Catesby  only  left  this  morn- 
ing, charged  \vith  a  letter  entreating  you  to  set  out  with- 
out delay, — and  now  I  behold  you.  What  has  hap- 
pened ?  " 

Viviana  then  recounted  the  occurrences  of  the  last  few 
days. 

"  It  is  as  I  feared,"  replied  Sir  William,  in  a  desponding 
tone.  "  Our  oppressors  will  never  cease  till  they  drive  us 
to  desperation !  " 

"  They  will  not !  "  rejoined  a  voice  behind  him.  "  Well 
may  we  exclaim  with  the  prophet — '  How  long,  0  Lord,  shall 


110  GUY  FAWKES. 

I  cry,  and  thou  wilt  not  hear?  Shall  I  cry  out  to 
thee  suffering  violence,  and  thou  wilt  not  save  ?  Why  hast 
thou  showed  me  iniquity  and  grievance,  to  see  rapine  and 
injustice  before  me?  Why  lookest  thou  upon  them  that 
do  unjust  things,  and  boldest  thy  peace  when  the  wicked 
devouretb  the  man  that  is  more  just  than  himself  ?  '  " 

Viviana  looked  in  the  direction  of  the  speaker  and  be- 
held a  man  in  a  priestly  garb,  whose  countenance  struck 
her  forcibly.  He  was  rather  under  the  middle  height,  of 
a  slight  spare  figure,  and  in  age  might  be  about  fifty.  His 
features,  which  m  his  youth  must  have  been  pleasing,  if 
not  handsome,  and  wiiich  were  still  regular,  were  pale 
and  emaciated  ;  but  his  eye  was  dark,  and  of  unusual  bril- 
liancy. A  single  glance  at  this  person  satisfied  her  it  was 
Father  Garnet,  the  provincial  of  the  English  Jesuits ; 
nor  was  she  mistaken  in  her  supposition. 

Of  this  remarkable  person,  so  intimately  connected 
with  the  main  events  of  the  history  about  to  be  related, 
it  may  be  proper  to  offer  some  preliminary  account. 
Born  at  Nottingham  in  1554,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary, 
and  of  obscure  parentage,  Henry  Garnet  was  originally 
destined  to  the  Protestant  Church,  and  educated,  with  a 
view  to  taking  orders,  at  Winchester  school,  whence  it 
was  intended  he  should  be  removed  in  due  course  to  Ox- 
ford. But  this  design  was  never  carried  into  effect.  In- 
fluenced by  motives,  into  which  it  is  now  scarcely  worth 
Avhile  inquiring,  and  which  have  been  contested  by  writers 
on  both  sides  of  the  question.  Garnet  proceeded  from 
Winchester  to  London,  where  he  engaged  himself  as  cor- 
rector of  the  press  to  a  printer  of  law-books,  named 
Tottel,  in  which  capacity  he  became  acquainted  with  Sir 
Edward  Coke  and  Chief  Justice  Po]3ham, — one  of  whom 
was  afterwards  to  be  the  leading  counsel  against  him,  and 
the  other  his  judge.  After  continuing  in  this  employment 
for  two  years,  during  which  he  had  meditated  a  change 
in  his  religion,  he  went  abroad,  and  traveling  first  to 
Madrid,  and  then  to  Korae,  saw  enough  of  the  Catholic 
priesthood  to  confirni   his  resolution^  and   in   1575  he 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  HI 

assumed  the  habit  of  a  Jesuit.  Pursuing  his  studies  with 
the  utmost  zeal  and  ardor  at  the  Jesuits'  College,  under 
the  celebrated  Bellarmine,  and  the  no  less  celebrated  Cla- 
vius,  he  made  such  progress,  that  upon  the  indisposition 
of  the  latter,  he  was  able  to  fill  the  mathematical  chair. 
Nor  was  he  less  skilled  in  philosophy,  metaphysics,  and 
divinity  ;  and  his  knowledge  of  Hebrew  was  so  profound 
that  he  taught  it  publicly  in  the  Roman  schools. 

To  an  enthusiastic  zeal  in  the  cause  of  the  religion  he 
had  espoused.  Garnet  added  great  powers  of  persuasion 
and  eloquence, — a  combination  of  qualities  well  fitting 
him  for  the  office  of  a  missionary  priest ;  and  undismayed 
by  the  dangers  he  would  have  to  encounter,  and  eager  to 
propagate  his  doctrines,  he  solicited  to  be  sent  on  this 
errand  to  his  own  country.  At  the  instance  of  Father 
Persons,  he  received  an  appointment  to  the  mission  in 
1586,  and  he  secretly  landed  in  England  in  the  same  year. 
Braving  every  danger,  and  shrinking  from  no  la"bor,  he 
sought  on  all  hands  to  make  proselytes  to  the  ancient 
faith,  and  to  sustain  the  wavering  courage  of  its  profes- 
sors. Two  years  afterwards,  on  the  imprisonment  of  the 
Superior  of  the  Jesuits,  being  raised  to  that  important 
post,  he  was  enabled  to  extend  his  sphere  of  action  ;  and 
redoubling  his  exertions  in  consequence,  he  so  well  dis- 
charged his  duties,  that  it  was  mainly  owing  to  him  that 
the  Catholic  party  was  kept  together  during  the  fierce 
persecutions  of  the  latter  end  of  Elizabeth's  reign. 

Compelled  to  personate  various  characters,  as  he  trav- 
eled from  place  to  place.  Garnet  had  acquired  a  remark- 
able facility  for  disguise ;  and  such  was  his  address  and 
courage,  that  he  not  unfrequently  imposed  upon  the  very 
officers  sent  in  pursuit  of  him.  Up  to  the  period  of 
Elizabeth's  demise,  he  had  escaped  arrest ;  and,  though  in- 
volved in  the  treasonable  intrigue  with  the  king  of  Spain, 
and  other  conspiracies,  he  procured  a  general  pardon 
under  the  great  seal.  His  office  and  profession  naturally 
brought  him  into  contact  with  the  chief  Catholic  families 
throughout  the  kingdom ;  and  he  maintained  an  active 


112  GUY  FAWKES. 

correspondence  with  many  of  them,  by  means  of  his 
various  agents  and  emissaries.  The  great  object  of  his 
life  being  the  restoration  of  the  fallen  religion,  to  accom- 
plish this,  as  he  conceived,  great  and  desirable  end,  he  was 
prepared  to  adopt  any  means,  however  violent  or  obnox- 
ious. When,  under  the  seal  of  confession,  Catesby  re- 
vealed to  him  his  dark  designs,  so  far  from  discouraging 
him,  all  he  counseled  was  caution.  Having  tested  the 
disposition  of  the  wealthier  Romanists  to  rise  against 
their  oppressors,  and  finding  a  general  insurrection,  as 
has  before  been  stated,  impracticable,  he  gave  every  en- 
couragement and  assistance  to  the  conspiracy  forming 
among  the  more  desperate  and  discontented  of  the  party. 
At  his  instigation,  the  present  pilgrimage  to  Saint  Wini- 
fred's Well  was  undertaken,  in  the  hope  that,  when  so 
large  a  body  of  the  Catholics  were  collected  together, 
some  additional  aid  to  the  project  might  be  obtained. 

One  of  the  most  mysterious  and  inexplicable  portions  of 
Garnet's  history  is  that  relating  to  Anne  Vaux.  This  lady, 
the  daughter  of  Lord  Vaux  of  Harrowden,  a  rigid  Catholic 
nobleman,  and  one  of  Garnet's  earliest  patrons  and  friends, 
on  the  death  of  her  father,  in  1595,  attached  herself  to  his 
fortunes, — accompanied  him  in  all  his  missions, — shared 
all  his  privations  and  dangers, — and,  regardless  of  calum- 
ny or  reproach,  devoted  herself  entirely  to  his  service. 
What  is  not  less  singular,  her  sister,  who  had  married  a 
Catholic  gentleman  named  Brooksby,  became  his  equally 
zealous  attendant.  Their  enthusiasm  produced  a  similar 
effect  on  Mr.  Brooksby ;  and  wherever  Garnet  went,  all 
three  accompanied  him. 

By  his  side,  on  the  present  occasion,  stood  Sir  Everard 
Digby.  Accounted  one  of  the  handsomest,  most  accom- 
plished, and  best-informed  men  of  his  time.  Sir  Everard, 
at  the  period  of  this  history  only  twenty-four,  had 
married,  when  scarcely  sixteen,  Maria,  heiress  of  the  an- 
cient and  honorable  family  of  Mulshoe,  with  whom  he 
obtained  a  large  fortune,  and  the  magnificent  estate  of 
Gothurst,  or  Ga^thurst,  in  Buckhighamshire.    Kniglitecl 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  113 

by  James  the  First  at  Belvoir  Castle,  on  his  way  from 
Scotland  to  London,  Digby,  who  had  once  formed  one  of 
the  most  brilliant  ornaments  of  the  court,  had  of  late  in  a 
great  degree  retired  from  it,  "  Notwithstanding,"  writes 
Father  Greenway,  "that  he  had  dwelt  much  in  the 
Queen's  court,  and  was  in  the  way  of  obtaining  honors 
and  distinction  by  his  graceful  manners  and  rare  parts 
he  chose  rather  to  bear  the  cross  with  the  persecuted 
Catholics,  et  vivere  ahjectus  in  domo  Domini^  than  to  sail 
through  the  pleasure  of  a  palace  and  the  prosperities  of 
the  world,  to  the  shipwreck  of  his  conscience  and  the 
destruction  of  his  soul."  Having  only  when  he  completed 
his  minority  professed  the  Catholic  religion,  he  became 
deeply  concerned  at  its  fallen  state,  and  his  whole 
thoughts  were  bent  upon  its  restoration.  This  change  in 
feeling  was  occasioned  chiefly,  if  not  altogether,  by  Gar- 
net, by  whom  his  conversion  had  been  accomplished. 

Sir  Everard  Digby  was  richly  attired  in  a  black  velvet 
doublet,  with  sleeves  slashed  with  white  satin,  and  wore 
a  short  mantle  of  the  same  material,  similarly  lined.  He 
had  the  enormous  trunk  hose,  heretofore  mentioned  as 
the  distinguishing  peculiarity  of  the  costume  of  the 
period,  and  wore  black  velvet  shoes,  ornamented  with 
white  roses.  An  ample  ruff  encircled  his  throat.  His 
hat  was  steeple-crowned,  and  somewhat  broader  in  the 
leaf  than  was  ordinarily  worn,  and  shaded  with  a  plume 
of  black  feathers.  His  hair  was  raven  black,  and  he  wore 
a  pointed  beard,  and  mustaches.  His  figure  was  tall  and 
stately,  and  his  features  grave  and  finely  formed. 

By  this  time  the  group  had  been  joined  by  the  others, 
and  a  friendly  greeting  took  place.  Guy  Fawkes  was 
presented  by  Catesby  to  Sir  William  Radcliffe  and  Sir 
Everard  Digby.  To  Garnet  he  required  no  introduction, 
and  Father  Oldcorne  was  known  to  all.  After  a  little 
further  conversation,  the  party  adjourned  to  the  house, 
which  belonged  to  a  Welsh  Catholic  gentleman,  named 
Griffiths,  who,  though  absent  at  the  time,  had  surrendered 
it  to  the  use  of  Sir  Everard  Digby  and  his  friends. 


114  GUY  FAWKES. 

On  their  entrance,  Yiviana  was  introduced  by  her  father 
to  Lady  Digby,  who  presided  as  hostess,  and  welcomed 
her  with  great  cordiality.  She  was  then  conducted  to 
her  own  room,  where  she  was  speedily  joined  by  Sir 
William ;  and  they  remained  closeted  together  till  sum- 
moned to  the  principal  meal  of  the  day.  At  the  table, 
which  was  most  hospitably  served,  Viviana  found,  in 
addition  to  her  former  companions,  a  large  assemblage,  to 
most  of  whom  she  was  a  stranger,  consisting  of  Anne 
Vaux,  Mr.  Brooksby  and  his  wife,  Ambrose  Rookwood, 
two  brothers  named  Winter,  two  Wrights,  Francis  Tres- 
ham, — persons  of  whom  it  will  be  necessary  to  make 
particular  mention  hereafter, — and  several  others,  in  all 
amounting  to  thirty. 

The  meal  over,  the  company  dispersed,  and  Viviana 
and  her  father,  passing  through  an  open  window,  wan- 
dered forth  upon  a  beautiful  and  spreading  lawn,  and 
thence  under  the  shade  of  the  beech-trees.  They  had  not 
been  long  here,  anxiously  conferring  on  recent  events, 
when  they  perceived  Garnet  and  Catesby  approaching. 

"  Father,  dear  father  !  "  cried  Viviana,  hastily,  "  I  was 
about  to  warn  you ;  but  I  have  not  time  to  do  so  now. 
Some  dark  and  dangerous  plot  is  in  agitation  to  restore 
our  religion.  Mr.  Catesby  is  anxious  to  league  you  with 
it.     Do  not — do  not  yield  to  his  solicitations ! " 

"Fear  nothing  on  that  score,  Viviana,"  replied  Sir 
William,  "  I  have  already  perplexities  enow,  without  add- 
ing to  them." 

"  I  will  leave  you,  then,"  she  replied.  And,  as  soon  as 
the  others  came  up,  she  made  some  excuse  for  withdraw- 
ing, and  returned  to  the  house.  The  window  of  her 
chamber  commanded  the  avenue,  and  from  it  she  watched 
the  group.  They  remained  for  a  long  time  pacing  up 
and  down,  in  earnest  conversation.  By  and  by,  they 
were  joined  by  Oldcorne  and  Fawkes.  Then  came  a 
third  party,  consisting  of  the  Winters  and  Wrights  ; 
and,  lastly,  Sir  Everard  Digby  and  Tresham  swelled  the 
list. 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  115 

The  assemblage  was  then  harangued  by  Catesby,  and 
the  most  profound  attention  paid  to  his  address.  Viviana 
kept  her  eye  fixed  upon  her  father's  countenance,  and 
from  its  changing  expression  inferred  what  effect  the 
speech  produced  upon  him.  At  its  conclusion,  the  as- 
semblage separated  in  little  groups ;  and  she  perceived, 
vnth  great  uneasiness,  that  Father  Garnet  passed  his  arm 
through  that  of  her  father,  and  led  him  away.  Some 
time  elapsed,  and  neither  of  them  reappeared. 

"  My  warning  was  in  vain ;  he  has  joined  them ! "  she 
exclaimed. 

"  No,  Viviana  !  "  cried  her  father's  voice  behind  her. 
"  I  have  not  joined  them.     Nor  shall  I  do  so." 

"  Heaven  be  praised  I "  she  exclaimed,  flinging  her  arms 
around  his  neck. 

Neither  of  them  were  aware  that  they  were  overheard 
by  Garnet,  who  had  noiselessly  followed  Sir  William  into 
the  room,  and  muttered  to  himself,  "  For  all  this,  he  shall 
join  the  plot,  and  she  shall  wed  Catesby." 

He  then  coughed  slightly,  to  announce  his  presence ; 
and,  apologizing  to  Viviana  for  the  intrusion,  told  her  he 
came  to  confess  her  previously  to  the  celebration  of  mass, 
which  would  take  place  that  evening,  in  a  small  chapel  in 
the  house.  Wholly  obedient  to  the  command  of  her 
spiritual  advisers,  Viviana  instantly  signified  her  assent ; 
and,  her  father  having  withdrawn,  she  laid  open  the  in- 
most secrets  of  her  heart  to  the  Jesuit.  Severely  repro- 
bating her  love  for  a  heretic,  before  he  would  give  her 
absolution.  Garnet  enjoined  her,  as  a  penance,  to  walk 
barefoot  to  the  holy  well  on  the  morrow,  and  to  make  a 
costly  offering  at  the  shrine  of  the  saint.  Compliance 
being  promised  to  his  injunction,  he  pronounced  the  abso- 
lution, and  departed. 

Soon  after  this,  mass  was  celebrated  by  Garnet,  and  the 
sacrament  administered  to  the  assemblage. 

An  hour  before  daybreak,  the  party  again  assembled  in 
the  chapel,  where  matins  were  performed ;  after  which, 
the  female  devotees,  who  were  clothed  in  snow-white 


116  GUY  FAWKES. 

woolen  robes,  with  wide  sleeves  and  hoods,  and  having 
large  black  crosses  woven  in  front,  retired  for  a  short 
time,  and  reappeared,  with  their  feet  bared,  and  hair  un- 
bound. Each  had  a  large  rosary  attached  to  the  cord 
that  bound  her  waist. 

Catesby  thought  Viviana  had  never  appeared  so  lovely 
as  in  this  costume ;  and  as  he  gazed  at  her  white  and 
delicately  formed  feet,  her  small  rounded  ankles,  her  dark 
and  abundant  tresses  falling  in  showers  almost  to  the 
ground,  he  became  more  deeply  enamored  than  before. 
His  passionate  gaze  was,  however,  unnoticed,  as  the  object 
of  it  kept  her  eyes  steadily  fixed  on  the  ground.  Lady 
Digby,  who  was  a  most  beautiful  woman,  scarcely  ap- 
peared to  less  advantage  ;  and,  as  she  walked  side  by  side 
with  Viviana  in  the  procession,  the  pair  attracted  uni- 
versal admiration  from  all  who  beheld  them. 

Everything  being  at  last  in  readiness,  and  the  order  of 
march  fully  arranged,  two  youthful  choristers,  in  sur- 
plices, chantmg  a  hymn  to  Saint  Winifred,  set  forth. 
They  were  followed  by  two  men  bearing  silken  banners, 
on  one  of  which  was  displayed  the  martyrdom  of  the 
saint  whose  shrine  they  were  about  to  visit,  and  on  the 
other  a  lamb  carrying  a  cross ;  next  came  Fathers  Old- 
corne  and  Fisher,  each  sustaining  a  large  silver  crucifix ; 
next.  Garnet  alone,  in  the  full  habit  of  his  order ;  next, 
the  females,  in  the  attire  before  described,  and  walking 
two  and  two ;  next,  Sir  Everard  Digby  and  Sir  William 
Radcliffe ;  and  lastly,  the  rest  of  the  pilgrims,  to  the 
number  of  fourteen.  These  were  all  on  foot.  But  at  the 
distance  of  fifty  paces  behind  them  rode  Guy  Fawkes  and 
Catesby,  at  the  head  of  twenty  well-armed  and  well- 
mounted  attendants,  intended  to  serve  as  a  guard  in  case 
of  need. 

In  such  order,  this  singular  procession  moved  forward 
at  a  slow  pace,  taking  its  course  along  a  secluded  road 
leading  to  the  ridge  of  hills  extending  from  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Wrexham  to  Mold,  and  from  thence,  in  an  almost 
unbroken  chain,  to  Holywell. 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  Hf 

Along  these  heights,  whence  magnificent  views  were 
obtained  of  the  broad  estuary  of  the  Dee  and  the  more 
distant  ocean,  the  train  proceeded  without  interruption  ; 
and  though  the  road  selected  was  one  seldom  traversed, 
and  through  a  country  thinly  peopled,  still,  the  rumor  of 
the  pilgrimage  having  gone  abroad,  hundreds  were  sta- 
tioned at  different  points  to  behold  it.  Some  expressions 
of  disapprobation  were  occasionally  manifested  by  the 
spectators ;  but  the  presence  of  the  large  armed  force 
effectually  prevented  any  interference. 

Whenever  such  a  course  could  be  pursued,  the  proces- 
sion took  its  way  over  the  sward.  Still  the  sufferings  of 
the  females  were  severe  in  the  extreme;  and  before 
Viviana  had  proceeded  a  mile,  her  white,  tender  feet  were 
cut  and  bruised  by  the  sharp  flints  over  which  she 
walked ;  every  step  she  took  leaving  a  bloody  print  be- 
hind it.  Lady  Digby  was  in  little  better  condition.  But 
such  was  the  zeal  by  which  they,  in  common  with  all  the 
other  devotees  following  them,  were  animated,  that  not  a 
single  murmur  was  uttered. 

Proceeding  in  this  way,  they  reached  at  midday  a 
small  stone  chapel  on  the  summit  of  the  hill  overlooking 
Plas-Newydd,  where  they  halted,  and  devotions  being 
performed,  the  females  bathed  their  lacerated  limbs  in  a 
neighboring  brook,  after  which  they  were  rubbed  with  a 
cooling  and  odorous  ointment.  Thus  refreshed,  they 
again  set  forward,  and  halting  a  second  time  at  Plas-Isaf, 
where  similar  religious  ceremonies  were  observed,  they 
rested  for  the  day  at  a  lodging  prepared  for  their  recep- 
tion in  the  vicinity  of  Mold. 

The  night  being  passed  in  prayer,  early  in  the  morn- 
ing they  commenced  their  march  in  the  same  order  as 
before.  When  Viviana  first  set  her  feet  to  the  ground, 
she  felt  as  if  she  were  treading  on  hot  iron,  and  the  pain 
was  so  excruciating,  that  she  could  not  repress  a  cry. 

"  Heed  not  your  sufferings,  dear  daughter,"  observed 
Garnet,  compassionately  ;  "  the  waters  of  the  holy  foun- 
tain will  heal  the  wounds  both  of  soul  and  body." 


llg  GtJY  FAWKEg. 

Overcoming  her  agony  by  a  powerful  effort,  she  con- 
trived to  limp  forward ;  and  the  whole  party  was  soon 
after  in  motion.  Halting  for  two  hours  at  Pentre-Terf yn, 
and  again  at  Skeviog,  the  train,  towards  evening,  reached 
the  summit  of  the  hill  overlooking  Holywell,  at  the  foot 
of  which  could  be  seen  the  ruins  of  Basingwerk  Abbey, 
and  the  roof  of  the  ancient  chapel  erected  over  the  sacred 
spring.  At  this  sight,  those  who  were  foremost  in  the 
procession  fell  on  their  knees  ;  and  the  horsemen  dis- 
mounting, imitated  their  example.  An  earnest  supplica- 
tion to  Saint  Winifred  was  then  poured  forth  by  Father 
Garnet,  in  which  all  the  others  joined,  and  a  hymn  in 
her  honor  chanted  by  the  choristers. 

Their  devotions  ended,  the  whole  train  arose,  and 
walked  slowly  down  the  steep  descent.  As  they  entered 
the  little  town,  which  owes  its  name  and  celebrity  to  the 
miraculous  spring  rising  within  it,  they  were  met  by  a 
large  concourse  of  people,  who  had  flocked  from  Flint 
and  the  other  neighboring  places  to  witness  the  cere- 
monial. Most  of  the  inhabitants  of  Holywell,  holding 
their  saintly  patroness  in  the  deepest  veneration,  viewed 
this  pilgrimage  to  her  shrine  as  a  proper  tribute  of  re- 
spect, while  those  of  the  opposite  faith  were  greatly  im- 
pressed by  it.  As  the  procession  advanced,  the  crowd 
divided  into  two  lines  to  allow  it  passage,  and  many  fell 
on  their  knees  imploring  a  blessing  from  Garnet,  which 
he  in  no  instance  refused.  When  within  a  hundred  yards 
of  the  sacred  well,  they  were  met  by  a  priest,  followed  by 
another  small  train  of  pilgrims.  A  Latin  oration  havhig 
been  pronounced  by  this  priest,  and  replied  to  in  the 
same  language  by  Garnet,  the  train  was  once  more  put  iu 
motion,  and  presently  reached  the  ancient  fabric  built  over 
the  sacred  fountain. 

The  legend  of  Saint  Winifred  is  so  well  known,  that  it 
is  scarcely  necessary  to  repeat  it.  For  the  benefit  of  the 
uninformed,  however,  it  may  be  stated  that  she  flourished 
about  the  middle  of  the  seventh  century,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Thewith,  one  of  the  chief  lords  of  Wales. 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  119 

Devoutly  educated  by  a  monk  named  Beuno,  who  after- 
wards received  canonization,  slie  took  the  veil,  and  re- 
tired to  a  small  monastery  (the  ruins  of  which  still  exist), 
built  by  her  father  near  the  scene  of  her  subsequent 
martyrdom.  Persecuted  by  the  addresses  of  Caradoc, 
son  of  Alan,  Prince  of  Wales,  she  fled  from  him  to  avoid 
his  violence.  He  followed,  and  inflamed  by  fury  at 
her  resistance,  struck  off  her  head.  For  this  atrocity, 
the  earth  instantly  opened  and  swallowed  him  alive, 
while  from  the  spot  where  the  head  had  fallen  gushed 
forth  a  fountain  of  unequaled  force  and  purity,  pro- 
ducing more  than  a  hundred  tons  a  minute.  The  bottom 
of  this  miraculous  well  is  strewn  with  pebbles  streaked 
with  red  veins,  in  memory  of  the  virgin  saint  from  whose 
blood  it  sprung.  On  its  margin  grows  an  odorous  moss, 
while  its  gelid  and  translucent  waters  are  esteemed  a 
remedy  for  many  disorders.  Winifred's  career  did  not  ter- 
minate with  her  decapitation.  Resuscitated  by  the  pray- 
ers of  Saint  Beuno,  she  lived  many  years  a  life  of  the  utmost 
sanctity,  bearing,  as  a  mark  of  the  miracle  performed 
in  her  behalf,  a  narrow  crimson  circle  round  her  throat. 
Passing  the  chapel  adjoining  the  well,  built  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  the  Seventh  by  his  mother,  the  pious 
Countess  of  Richmond,  the  pilgrims  came  to  the  swift 
clear  stream  rushing  from  the  well.  Instead  of  ascend- 
ing the  steps  leading  to  the  edifice  built  over  the  spring, 
they  plunged  into  the  stream,  and  crossing  it  entered  the 
structure  by  a  doorway  on  the  further  side.  Erected  by 
the  Countess  of  Richmond  at  the  same  period  as  the 
chapel,  this  structure,  quadrangular  in  form,  and  of  great 
beauty,  consists  of  light  clustered  pillars  and  moldings, 
supporting  the  most  gorgeous  tracery  and  groining,  the 
whole  being  ornamented  with  sculptured  bosses,  pendent 
capitals,  fretwork,  niches,  and  tabernacles.  In  the  midst 
is  a  large  stone  basin,  to  receive  the  water  of  the  fountain, 
around  which  the  procession  now  grouped,  and  as  soon  as 
all  were  assembled,  at  the  command  of  Father  Garnet 
they  fell  on  their  knees. 


120  GUY  FAWKES. 

It  was  a  solemn  and  striking  siglit  to  see  this  large 
group  prostrated  around  that  beautiful  fountain,  and 
covered  by  that  ancient  structure, — a  toucliing  thing  to 
hear  the  voice  of  prayer  mingling  with  the  sound  of  the 
rushing  water.  After  this,  they  all  arose.  A  hymn  was 
then  chanted,  and  votive  offerings  made  at  the  shrine  of 
the  saint.  The  male  portion  of  the  assemblage  then  fol- 
lowed Garnet  to  the  chapel,  where  further  religious  rites 
were  performed,  while  the  female  devotees,  remaining 
near  the  fountain,  resigned  themselves  to  the  care  of 
several  attendants  of  their  own  sex,  who,  having  bathed 
their  feet  in  the  water,  applied  some  of  the  fragrant  moss 
above  described  to  the  wounds  ;  and,  such  was  the  faith 
of  the  patients,  or  the  virtue  of  the  application,  that 
in  a  short  time  they  all  felt  perfectly  restored,  and  able  to 
join  their  companions  in  the  chapel.  In  this  way  the 
evening  was  spent ;  and  it  was  not  until  late  that  the7 
finished  their  devotions,  and  departed  to  the  lodgings 
provided  for  them  in  the  town. 

Impressed  with  a  strange  superstitious  feeling,  which 
he  could  scarcely  acknowledge  to  himself,  Guy  Fawlvcs 
determined  to  pass  the  night  near  the  well.  Accordingly, 
without  communicating  his  intention  to  his  companions, 
he  threw  a  small  knapsack  over  his  shoulder,  containing 
a  change  of  linen,  and  a  few  articles  of  attire,  and  pro- 
ceeded thither. 

It  was  a  brilliant  moonlight  night,  and,  as  the  radiance, 
streaming  through  the  thin  clustered  columns  of  the  struc- 
ture, lighted  up  its  fairy  architecture,  and  fell  upon  the 
clear  cold  waves  of  the  fountain,  i-evealing  the  blood- 
streaked  pebbles  beneath,  the  effect  was  inexpressibly 
beautiful.  So  charmed  was  Guy  Fawkes  by  the  sight, 
that  he  remained  for  some  time  standing  near  the  edge  of 
the  basin,  as  if  fascinated  by  the  marvelous  spring  that 
boiled  up  and  sparkled  at  his  feet.  Resolved  to  try  the 
efficacy  of  the  bath,  he  threw  off  his  clothes  and  plunged 
into  it.  The  water  was  cold  as  ice  ;  but  on  emerging 
from  it  he  felt  wonderfully  refreshed.     Having  dressed 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  121 

himseK,  he  wrapped  his  cloak  around  him,  and,  throwing 
himself  on  the  stone  floor,  placed  the  knapsack  under 
his  head,  and  grasping  a  petronel  in  his  right  hand,  to  be 
ready  in  case  of  a  surprise,  disposed  himself  to  slumber. 
Accustomed  to  a  soldier's  couch,  he  soon  fell  asleep. 
He  had  not  long  closed  his  eyes  when  he  dreamed  that 
from  out  of  the  well  a  female  figure,  slight  and  unsubstan- 
tial as  the  element  from  which  it  sprang,  arose.  It  was 
robed  in  what  resembled  a  nun's  garb ;  but  so  thin  and 
vapory,  that  the  very  moonlight  shone  through  it.  From 
the  garments  of  the  figure,  as  well  as  from  the  crimson 
circle  round  its  throat,  he  knew  that  it  must  be  the  patro- 
ness of  the  place,  the  sainted  Winifred,  that  he  beheld. 
He  felt  no  horror,  but  the  deepest  awe.  The  arm  of  the 
figure  was  raised, — its  benignant  regards  fixed  upon  him, 
—and,  as  soon  as  it  gained  the  level  of  the  basin,  it  glided 
towards  him. 


122  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


THE     VISIOIS". 


Before  daybreak  on  the  following  morning,  Garnet,  who 
had  been  engaged  in  earnest  conference  with  Catesby 
during  the  whole  of  the  night,  repaired  to  the  sacred  spring 
for  the  purpose  of  bathing  Avithin  it,  and  performing  his 
solitary  devotions  at  the  shrine  of  the  saint.  On  ascending 
the  steps  of  the  structure,  he  perceived  Guy  Fawkes 
kneeling  beside  the  fountain,  apparently  occupied  in 
prayer ;  and,  being  unwilling  to  disturb  him,  he  paused. 
Finding,  however,  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  minutes,  that 
he  did  not  move,  he  advanced  towards  him,  and  was 
about  to  lay  his  hand  upon  his  shoulder,  when  he  was 
arrested  by  the  very  extraordinary  expression  of  his 
countenance.  His  lips  were  partly  open,  but  perfectly 
motionless,  and  his  eyes,  almost  startiifg  from  their 
sockets,  were  fixed  upon  the  boiling  waters  of  the  spring. 
His  hands  were  clasped,  and  his  look  altogether  was 
that  of  one  whose  faculties  were  benumbed  by  awe  or 
terror. 

Aware  of  the  fanatical  and  enthusiastical  character  of 
Fawkes,  Garnet  had  little  doubt  that,  by  keeping  long 
vigil  at  the  fountain,  he  had  worked  himself  into  such  a 
state  of  over-excitement  as  to  imagine  he  beheld  some 
preternatural  appearance  ;  and  it  was  with  some  curiosity 
that  he  awaited  the  result.  Glancing  in  the  same  direc- 
tion, his  eye  rested  upon  the  bottom  of  the  well,  but  he 
could  discern  nothing  except  the  glittering  and  blood- 
streaked  pebbles,  and  the  reflection  of  the  early  sunbeams 
that  quivered  on  its  steaming  surface.  At  length,  a  convul- 
sion passed  over  the  frame  of  the  kneeler,  and  heaving  a 
deep  sigh  he  arose.  Turning  to  quit  the  spring,  he  con- 
fronted Garnet,  and  demanded,  in  a  low  yoice — • 


tHE  VISION.  123 

"  Have  you  likewise  seen  the  vision,  father  ?  " 

Garnet  made  no  reply,  but  regarded  him  steadfastly. 

"  Has  the  blessed  Winifred  api)eared  to  you,  I  say  ?  " 
continued  Fawkes. 

"  No,"  answered  Garnet ;  "I  am  but  just  come  hither. 
It  is  for  you,  my  son, — the  favored  of  heaven, — for  whom 
such  glorious  visions  are  reserved.  I  have  seen  nothing. 
How  did  the  saint  manifest  herself  to  you  ?  " 

"  In  her  earthly  form,"  replied  Fawkes  ;  "  or  rather,  I 
should  say,  in  the  semblance  of  the  form  she  bore  on 
earth.  Listen  to  me,  father.  I  came  hither  last  night  to 
make  my  couch  beside  the  fountain.  After  plunging  into 
it,  I  felt  myself  marvelously  refreshed,  and  disposed  my- 
self to  rest  on  that  stone.  Scarcely  had  my  eyes  closed 
when  the  saintly  vision  appeared  to  me.  Oh  !  father,  it 
was  a  vision  of  seraphic  beauty,  such  as  the  eye  of  man 
hath  seldom  seen  !  " 

"  And  such  only  as  it  is  permitted  the  elect  of  Heaven 
to  see,"  observed  Garnet. 

"Alas!  father,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes,  "  I  can  lay  little 
claim  to  such  an  epithet.  Nay,  I  begin  to  fear  that  I 
have  incurred  the  displeasure  of  Heaven." 

"  Think  not  so,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet,  uneasily. 
"  Relate  your  vision,  and  I  will  interpret  it  to  you." 

"  Thus  then  it  was,  father,"  returned  Fawkes.  *'  The 
figure  of  the  saint  arose  from  out  the  well,  and  gliding 
towards  me  laid  its  finger  upon  my  brow.  My  eyes 
opened,  but  I  was  as  one  oppressed  with  a  nightmare,  un- 
able to  move.  I  then  thought  I  heard  my  name  pro- 
nounced by  a  voice  so  wondrously  sweet  that  my  senses 
were  quite  ravished.  Fain  would  I  have  prostrated  my- 
self, but  my  limbs  refused  their  office.  Neither  could  I 
speak,  for  my  tongue  was  also  enchained." 

"Proceed,  my  son,"  observed  Garnet;  I  am  curious  to 
know  what  ensued." 

"  Father,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes,  "  if  the  form  I  beheld 
was  that  of  Saint  Winifred, — and  that  it  was  so,  I  can- 
not doubt, — the  enterprise  on  which  we  are  engaged  will 


154  GUY  FAWKES. 

fail.  It  is  not  approved  by  Heaven.  The  vision  warned 
me  to  desist." 

"  You  cannot  desist,  my  son,"  rejoined  Garnet,  sternly. 
"  Your  oath  binds  you  to  the  project." 

"  True,"  replied  Fawkes ;  "  and  I  have  no  thought  of 
abandoning  it.  But  I  am  well  assured  it  will  not  be  suc- 
cessful." 

"  Your  thinking  so,  my  son,  will  be  the  most  certain 
means  of  realizing  your  apprehensions,"  replied  Garnet, 
gravely.  "  But  let  me  hear  the  exact  words  of  the  spirit. 
You  may  have  misunderstood  them." 

"  I  cannot  repeat  them  precisely,  father,"  replied 
Fawkes  ;  "  but  I  could  not  misapprehend  their  import, 
which  was  the  deepest  commiseration  for  our  forlorn  and 
fallen  church,  but  a  positive  interdiction  against  any  at- 
tempt to  restore  it  by  bloodshed.  '  Suffer  on,'  said  the 
spirit ;  '  bear  the  yoke  patiently,  and  in  due  season  God 
Avill  avenge  your  wrongs,  and  free  you  from  oppression. 
You  are  thus  afflicted  that  your  faith  may  be  purified. 
Bat  if  5'ou  resort  to  violence,  you  will  breed  confusion, 
and  injure,  not  serve,  the  holy  cause  on  which  you  are 
embarked.'  Such,  father,  was  the  language  of  the  saint. 
It  was  uttered  in  a  tone  so  tender  and  sympathizing,  that 
every  word  found  an  echo  in  my  heart,  and  I  repented 
having  pledged  myself  to  the  undertaking.  But,  when  I 
tell  you  that  she  added  that  all  concerned  in  the  conspir- 
acy should  perish,  perhaps  you  may  be  deterred  from  pro- 
ceeding further." 

"  Never ! "  returned  Garnet.  "  Nor  will  I  suffer  any 
one  engaged  in  it  to  retreat.  What  matter  if  a  few  perish, 
if  the  many  survive  ?  Our  blood  will  not  be  shed  in  vain, 
if  the  true  religion  of  God  is  restored.  Nay,  as  strongly 
as  the  blessed  Winifred  herself  resisted  the  impious  rav- 
isher,  Caradoc,  will  I  resist  all  inducements  to  turn  aside 
from  my  purpose.  It  may  be  that  the  enterprise  will 
fail.  It  may  be  that  we  shall  perish.  But  if  we  die  thus, 
we  shall  die  as  martyrs,  and  our  deaths  will  be  highly 
profitable  to  the  Catholic  religion." 


THE  VISION.  125 

"  I  doubt  it,"  observed  Fawkes. 

"  My  son,"  said  Grarnet,  solemnly,  "  I  have  ever  looked 
upon  you  as  one  destined  to  be  the  chief  agent  in  the  great 
work  of  redemption.  I  have  thought  that,  like  Judith, 
you  were  chosen  to  destroy  the  Holofernes  who  oppresses 
us.  Ha-^ing  noted  in  you  a  religious  fervor,  and  resolu- 
tion admirably  fitting  you  for  the  task,  I  thought,  and 
still  think  you  expressly  chosen  by  Heaven  for  it.  But, 
if  you  have  any  misgiving,  I  beseech  you  to  withdraw 
from  it.  I  will  absolve  you  from  your  oath ;  and,  enjoin- 
ing you  only  to  strictest  secrecy,  will  pray  you  to  depart 
at  once,  lest  your  irresolution  should  be  communicated  to 
the  others." 

"  Fear  nothing  from  me,  father,"  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  I 
have  no  irresolution,  no  wavering,  nor  shall  any  engaged 
with  us  be  shaken  by  my  apprehension.  You  have  asked 
me  what  I  saw  and  heard,  and  I  have  told  you  truly. 
But  I  will  speak  of  it  no  more." 

"  It  will  be  well  to  observe  silence,  my  son,"  answered 
Garnet ;  "  for  though  you,  like  myself,  are  unnerved,  its 
effect  on  others  might  be  injurious.  But  you  have  not 
yet  brought  your  relation  to  an  end.  How  did  the  figure 
disappear  ?  " 

"  As  it  arose,  father,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Uttering  in  a 
sweet  but  solemn  voice,  which  yet  rings  in  my  ears,  the 
words,  '  Be  warned ! '  it  glided  back  to  the  fountain, 
whose  waves  as  it  approached  grew  still,  and  gradually 
melted  from  my  view." 

"  But  when  I  came  hither,  you  appeared  to  be  gazing 
at  the  spring,"  said  Garnet.  "  What  did  you  then  be- 
hold?" 

"  My  first  impulse  on  awakening  about  an  hour  ago," 
replied  Fawkes,  "  was  to  prostrate  myself  before  the  foun- 
tain, and  to  entreat  the  intercession  of  the  saint,  who  had 
thus  marvelously  revealed  herself  to  me.  As  I  prayed, 
methought  its  clear  lucid  waters  became  turbid,  and  turned 
to  the  color  of  blood." 

"  It  is  a  type  of  the  blood  of  slaughtered  brethren  of 


126  GUY  FAWKES. 

our  faith,  which  has  been  shed  by  our  opijressors,"  re- 
joined Garnet. 

"  Rather  of  our  own,  which  shall  be  poured  forth  in  this 
cause,"  retorted  Fawkes.  "  No  matter.  I  am  prepared  to 
lose  the  last  drop  of  mine." 

"  And  I,"  said  Garnet ;  "  and,  I  doubt  not,  like  those  holy 
men  who  have  suffered  for  their  faith,  that  we  shall  both 
win  a  crown  of  martyrdom." 

"  Amen !  "  exclaimed  Fawkes.  "  And  you  think  the 
sacrifice  we  are  about  to  offer  will  prove  acceptable  to 
God?" 

"I  am  convinced  of  it,  my  son,"  answered  Garnet. 
"  And  I  take  the  sainted  virgin,  from  whose  blood  this  mar- 
velous spring  was  produced,  to  witness  that  I  devote  my- 
self unhesitatingly  to  the  project,  and  that  I  firmly  believe 
it  will  profit  our  church." 

As  he  spoke,  a  singular  circumstance  occurred,  which  did 
not  fail  to  produce  an  impression  on  both  parties, — es- 
pecially Guy  Fawkes.  A  violent  gust  of  wind,  apparent- 
ly suddenly  aroused,  whistled  through  the  slender  columns 
of  the  structure,  and  catching  the  surface  of  the  water 
dashed  it  in  tiny  waves  against  their  feet. 

"The  saint  is  offended,"  observed  Fawkes. 

"It  would  almost  seem  so,"  replied  Garnet,  after  a 
pause.  "  Let  us  proceed  to  the  chapel,  and  pray  at  her 
shrine.  We  will  confer  on  this  matter  hereafter.  Mean- 
time, swear  to  me  that  you  will  observe  profound  secrecy 
respecting  this  vision." 

"  I  swear,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes. 

At  this  moment,  another  and  more  violent  gust  agitated 
the  fountain. 

"  We  will  tarry  here  no  longer,"  said  Garnet.  "  I  am 
not  proof  against  these  portents  of  ill." 

So  saying,  he  led  the  way  to  the  chapel.  Here  they 
were  presently  joined  by  several  of  the  female  devotees, 
including  Viviana,  Anne  Vaux,  and  Lady  Digby.  Matins 
were  then  said,  after  which  various  offerings  were  made 
at  the  shrine  of  the  saint.    Lady  Digby  presented  a  small 


THE  VISION.  127 

tablet  set  in  gold,  representing  on  one  side  the  martyrdom 
of  Saint  Winifred,  and  on  the  other  the  Salutation  of  our 
Lady.  Anne  Vaux  gave  a  small  enameled  cross  of  gold ; 
Viviana  a  girdle  of  the  same  metal,  with  a  pendant  sustain- 
ing a  small  Saint  John's  head  surrounded  with  pearls. 

"Mine  will  be  a  poor  soldier's  offering,"  said  Guy 
Fawkes,  approaching  the  shrine,  which  was  hung  around 
with  the  crutches,  staves,  and  bandages  of  those  cured 
by  the  healing  waters  of  the  miraculous  spring.  "  This 
small  silver  scallop-shell,  given  me  by  a  pilgrim,  who  died 
in  my  arms  near  the  chapel  of  Saint  James  of  Compostella, 
in  Spain,  is  the  sole  valuable  I  possess." 

"  It  will  be  as  acceptable  as  a  more  costly  gift,  my  son," 
replied  Garnet,  placing  it  on  the  shrine. 

Of  all  the  offerings  then  made,  that  silver  scallop-shell 
is  the  only  one  preserved. 


128  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE     CONSPIRATORS. 

On  Viviana's  return  from  her  devotions,  she  found  her 
father  in  the  greatest  perturbation  and  alarm.  The  old 
steward,  Heydocke,  who  had  ridden  express  from  Ordsall 
Hall,  had  just  arrived  bringing  word  that  the  miserable 
fate  of  the  pursuivant  and  his  crew  had  aroused  the 
whole  country ;  that  officers,  attended  by  a  strong  force, 
and  breathing  vengeance,  were  in  pursuit  of  Sir  William 
Radcliffe  and  his  daughter  ;  that  large  suras  were  offered 
for  the  capture  of  Guy  Fawkes  and  Father  Oldcorne ; 
that  most  of  the  servants  were  imprisoned ;  that  he 
himself  had  escaped  with  great  difficulty ;  and  that,  to 
sum  up  this  long  catalogue  of  calamities.  Master  Hum- 
phrey Chetham  was  arrested,  and  placed  in  the  New  Fleet. 
"  In  short,  my  dear  young  mistress,"  concluded  the  old 
man,  "  as  I  have  just  observed  to  Sir  "William,  all  is  over 
with  us,  and  there  is  nothing  left  but  the  grave." 

"  What  course  have  you  resolved  upon,  dear  father," 
inquired  Viviana,  turning  anxiously  to  him. 

"  I  shall  surrender  myself,"  he  answered.  "  I  am  guilty 
of  no  crime,  and  can  easily  clear  myself  from  all  imputa- 
tion." 

"  You  are  mistaken,"  she  replied.  "  Do  not  hope  for 
justice  from  those  who  know  it  not.  But,  while  the 
means  of  escape  are  allowed  you,  avail  yourself  of  them." 

"  No,  Viviana,"  replied  Sir  William  Radclifte,  firmly ; 
"my  part  is  taken.  I  shall  abide  the  arrival  of  the 
officers.  For  you,  I  shall  entrust  you  to  the  care  of  Mr. 
Catesby." 

"  You  cannot  mean  this,  dear  father,"  she  cried,  with  a 
look  of  distress.  "  And,  if  you  do,  I  will  never  consent 
to  such  an  arrangement." 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  120 

"  Mr.  Catesby  is  strongly  attached  to  you,  child,"  re- 
plied Sir  William,  «  and  will  watch  over  your  safety  as 
carefully  as  I  could  do  myself." 

"  He  may  be  attached  to  me,"  rejoined  Viviana, 
"though  I  doubt  the  disinterestedness  of  his  love.  But 
nothing  can  remove  my  repugnance  to  him.  Forgive  me, 
therefore,  if,  in  this  one  instance,  I  decline  to  obey  your 
commands.     I  dare  not  trust  myself  with  Mr.  Catesby." 

"  How  am  I  to  understand  you  ? "  inquired  Sir  Wil- 
liam. 

"  Do  not  ask  me  to  explain,  dear  father,"  she  answered, 
"but  imagine  I  must  have  good  reason  for  what  I  say. 
Since  you  are  resolved  upon  surrendering  yourself,  I 
will  go  into  captivity  with  you.  The  alternative  is  less 
dreadful  than  that  you  have  proposed." 

"  You  distract  me,  child,"  cried  the  knight,  rising  and 
pacing  the  chamber  in  great  agitation.  "  I  cannot  bear 
the  thought  of  your  imprisonment.  Yet  if  I  fly,  I  ap- 
pear to  confess  myself  guilty." 

"  If  your  worship  will  entrust  Mistress  Viviana  with 
me,"  interposed  the  old  steward,  "  I  will  convey  her 
whithersoever  you  direct, — will  watch  over  her  day  and 
night, — and,  if  need  be,  die  in  her  defense." 

"  Thou  wert  ever  a  faithful  servant,  good  Ileydocke," 
rejoined  Sir  William,  extending  his  hand  kindly  to  him, 
"  and  art  as  true  in  adversity  as  in  prosperity." 

"  Shame  to  me  if  I  were  not,"  replied  Heydocke,  press- 
ing the  knight's  fingers  to  his  lips  and  bathing  them  in 
his  tears.  "  Shame  to  me  if  I  hesitated  to  lay  down  my 
life  for  a  master  to  whom  I  owe  so  much." 

"  If  it  is  your  pleasure,  dear  father,"  observed  Viviana, 
"  I  will  accompany  Master  Heydocke ;  but  I  would  far 
rather  be  permitted  to  remain  with  you." 

"  It  would  avail  nothing,"  replied  Sir  William,  "  we 
should  be  separated  by  the  officers.  Retire  to  your 
chamber,  and  prepare  for  instant  departure  ;  and,  in  the 
meanwhile,  I  will  consider  what  is  best  to  be  done." 

"Your  worship's  decision  must  be  sx^eedy,"  observed 


130  GUY  FAVfKES. 

Heydocke  ;  "  I  had  only  a  few  hours'  start  of  the  officers. 
They  will  be  here  ere  long." 

"  Take  this  purse,"  replied  Sir  "William,  "  and  hire 
three  of  the  fleetest  horses  you  can  procure,  and  station 
yourself  at  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  on  the  road  to  Saint 
Asaph.     You  understand." 

"  Perfectly,"  replied  Heydocke.  And  he  departed  to 
execute  his  master's  commands,  while  Viviana  withdrew 
to  her  own  chamber. 

Left  alone,  the  knight  was  perplexing  himself  as  to 
where  he  should  shape  his  course  when  he  was  inter- 
rupted by  the  sudden  entrance  of  Catesby  and  Garnet. 

"  We  have  just  met  your  servant.  Sir  William,"  said 
the  former,  "  and  have  learned  the  alarming  intelligence  he 
has  brought." 

"  What  is  your  counsel  in  this  emergency,  father  ? " 
said  Rad  cliff e,  appealing  to  Garnet. 

"  Flight, — instant  flight,  my  son,"  was  the  answer. 

"  My  counsel  is  resistance,"  said  Catesby.  "  We  are 
here  assembled  in  large  numbers,  and  are  well  armed. 
Let  us  await  the  arrival  of  the  ofiacers,  and  see  whether 
they  will  venture  to  arrest  you." 

"  They  will  arrest  us  all,  if  they  have  force  sufficient  to 
do  so,"  replied  Garnet ;  "  and  there  are  many  reasons,  as 
you  well  know,  why  it  is  desirable  to  avoid  any  disturb- 
ance at  present." 

"  True,"  replied  Catesby.  "  What  say  you  then,"  he 
continued,  addressing  Radcliffe, "  to  our  immediate  return 
to  Holt,  where  means  may  be  found  to  screen  you  till  this 
storm  is  blowTi  over  ?  " 

"  Sir  William  having  assented  to  the  proposal,  Catesby 
instantly  departed  to  acquaint  the  others,  and,  as  soon  as 
preparations  could  be  made,  and  horses  procured,  the 
whole  party  composing  the  pilgrimage  quitted  Holywell, 
and,  ascending  the  hill  at  the  back  of  the  town,  took  the 
direction  of  Mold,  where  they  arrived,  having  ridden  at  a 
swift  pace,  in  about  half  an  hour.  From  thence  they 
proceeded,  without  accident  or  interruption,  to  the  mansion 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  131 

they  had  recently  occupied  near  Holt.  On  reaching  it, 
all  the  domestics  were  armed,  and  certain  of  their  number 
stationed  at  the  different  approaches  to  the  house  to  give 
the  alarm  in  case  of  the  enemy's  appearance.  But  as 
nothing  occurred  during  the  night,  the  fears  of  Sir 
William  and  his  friends  began  in  some  degree  to  sub- 
side. 

About  noon,  on  the  following  day,  as  Guy  Fawkes,  who 
ever  since  the  vision  at  Saint  Winifred's  Well  had 
shunned  all  companionship,  walked  forth  beneath  the 
avenue  alone,  he  heard  a  light  step  behind  him,  and,  turn- 
ing, beheld  Viviana.  Gravely  bowing,  he  was  about  to 
pursue  his  course,  when  quickening  her  pace  she  was 
instantly  by  his  side. 

"  I  have  a  favor  to  solicit,"  she  said. 

"  There  is  none  I  would  refuse  you,"  answered  Fawkes, 
halting ;  "  but,  though  I  have  the  will,  I  may  not  have  the 
power  to  grant  your  request." 

"  Hear  me,  then,"  she  replied,  hurriedly.  "  Of  all  my 
father's  friends — of  all  who  are  here  assembled,  you  are 
the  only  one  I  dare  trust, — the  only  one  from  whom  I  can 
hope  for  assistance." 

"  I  am  at  once  flattered  and  perplexed  by  your  words, 
Viviana,"  he  rejoined;  "nor  can  I  guess  whither  tiiey 
tend.  But  speak  freely.  If  I  cannot  render  you  aid,  I 
can  at  least  give  you  counsel." 

"  I  must  premise,  then,"  said  Viviana,  "  that  I  am  aware 
from  certain  obscure  hints  let  fall  by  Father  Oldcorne, 
that  you,  Mr.  Catesby,  and  others  are  engaged  in  a  dark 
and  dangerous  conspiracy." 

"Viviana  Radcliffe,"  returned  Guy  Fawkes,  sternly, 
"you  have  once  before  avowed  your  knowledge  of  this 
plot.  I  will  not  attempt  disguise  with  you.  A  project 
is  in  agitation  for  the  deliverance  of  our  fallen  church  ; 
and,  since  you  have  become  acquainted  with  its  existence 
— no  matter  how — you  must  be  bound  by  an  oath  of 
secrecy,  or,"  and  his  look  grew  darker,  and  his  voice 
(Sterner,  "  I  will  not  answer  for  your  life." 


132  GUY  FAWKES. 

« I  will  willingly  take  the  oath,  on  certain  conditions,'* 
said  Viviana. 

"  You  must  take  it  unconditionally,"  rejoined  Fawkes. 

"  Hear  me  out,"  said  Viviana.  "  Knowing  that  Mr. 
Catesby  and  Father  Garnet  are  anxious  to  induce  my 
father  to  join  this  conspiracy,  I  came  hither  to  implore 
you  to  prevent  him  from  doing  so." 

"  Were  I  even  willing  to  do  this, — which  I  am  not," 
replied  Fawkes,  "  I  have  not  the  power.  Sir  William 
Radcliffe  would  be  justly  indignant  at  any  interference 
on  my  part." 

"  Heed  not  that,"  replied  Viviana.  "  You,  I  fear,  are 
linked  to  this  fearful  project  beyond  the  possibility  of 
being  set  free.     But  he  is  not.     Save  him  !  save  him ! " 

"  I  will  take  no  part  in  urging  him  to  join  it,"  replied 
Fawkes.     "  But  I  can  promise  nothing  further." 

"  Then  mark  me,"  she  returned  ;  "  if  further  attempts 
are  made  by  any  of  your  confederates  to  league  him  with 
their  plot,  I  myself  will  disclose  all  I  know  of  it." 

"  Viviana,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  in  a  threatening  tone,  "  I 
again  warn  you  that  you  endanger  your  life." 

"I  care  not," she  rejoined;  "  I  would  risk  twenty  lives, 
if  I  possessed  them,  to  preserve  my  father." 

"  You  are  a  noble-hearted  lady,"  replied  Fawkes,  unable 
to  repress  the  admiration  inspired  by  her  conduct ;  "  and 
if  I  can  accomplish  what  you  desire,  I  will.  But  I  see 
not  how  it  can  be  done." 

"  Everything  is  possible  to  one  of  your  resolution," 
replied  Viviana. 

"  Well,  well,"  replied  Fawkes,  a  slight  smile  crossing 
his  rugged  features ;  "  the  effort  at  least  shall  be  made." 

"  Thanks  !  thanks !  "  ejaculated  Viviana  ;  and,  over- 
come by  her  emotion,  she  sank  half-fainting  into  his 
arms. 

While  he  held  her  thus,  debating  within  himself 
whether  he  should  convey  her  to  the  house.  Garnet  and 
Catesby  appeared  at  the  other  end  of  the  avenue.  Their 
surprise  at  the  sight  was  extreme ;  nor  was  it  less  when 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  133 

Viviana,  opening  her  eyes  as  they  drew  near,  uttered  a 
slight  cry,  and  disappeared. 

"  This  requires  an  explanation,"  said  Catesby,  glancing 
fiercely  at  Fawkes. 

"You  must  seek  it,  then,  of  the  lady,"  rejoined  the 
latter,  moodily. 

"It  will  be  easily  explained,  I  have  no  doubt,"  inter- 
posed Garnet.  "  Miss  Radcliffe  was  seized  with  a  mo- 
mentary weakness,  and  her  companion  offered  her 
support." 

«  That  will  scarcely  suffice  for  me,"  cried  Catesby. 

"  Let  the  subject  be  dropped  for  the  present,"  rejoined 
Garnet,  authoritatively.  "  More  important  matter  claims 
our  attention.  We  came  to  seek  you,  my  son,"  he  con- 
tinued, addressing  Fawkes.  "  All  those  engaged  in  the 
great  enterprise  are  about  to  meet  in  a  summer-house  in 
the  garden." 

"  I  am  ready  to  attend  you,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Will 
Sir  William  Radcliffe  be  there  ?  " 

"No,"  replied  Garnet;  "he  has  not  yet  joined  us. 
None  will  be  present  at  this  meeting  but  the  sworn  con- 
spirators." 

With  this,  the  trio  took  their  way  towards  the  garden, 
and  proceeding  along  a  wall  edged  with  clipped  yew- 
trees,  came  to  the  summer-house, — a  small  circular  build- 
ing overrun  with  ivy  and  creepers,  and  ornamented  in 
front  by  two  stone  statues  on  pedestals.  Here  they 
found  Sir  Everard  Digby,  Ambrose  Rookwood,  Francis 
Tresham,  Thomas  and  Robert  Winter,  John  and  Chris- 
topher Wright,  awaiting  their  arrival. 

The  door  being  closed  and  bolted.  Garnet,  placing  him- 
self in  the  midst  of  the  assemblage,  said,  "Before  we 
proceed  further,  I  will  again  administer  the  oath  to  all 
present."  Drawing  from  his  vest  a  primer,  and  address- 
ing Sir  Everard  Digby,  he  desired  him  to  kneel,  and 
continued  thus  in  a  solemn  tone,  "  You  shall  swear  by 
the  Blessed  Trinity,  and  by  the  sacrament  you  propose 
to  receive,  never  to  disclose  directly  nor  indirectly,  by 


134  GUY  FAWKES. 

word  or  circumstance,  the  matter  that  shall  be  proposed 
to  you  to  keep  secret,  nor  desist  from  the  execution 
thereof,  until  the  rest  shall  give  you  leave." 

"  I  swear,"  replied  Digby,  kissing  the  primer. 

The  oath  was  then  taken  in  like  manner  by  the  others. 
This  done,  Catesby  was  about  to  address  the  meeting, 
when  Tresham,  glancing  uneasily  at  the  door,  remarked, 
"  Are  you  assured  we  have  no  eavesdroppers  ?  " 

"  I  will  keep  watch  without,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  "  if  you 
have  any  fears." 

"  It  were  better,"  replied  Robert  Winter.  "  We  can- 
not be  too  cautious.  But  if  you  go  forth,  you  will  not  be 
able  to  take  part  in  the  discussion." 

"  My  part  is  to  act,  not  talk,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  march- 
ing towards  the  door.  And  shutting  it  after  him,  he 
took  up  his  position  outside. 

Upon  this  Catesby  commenced  a  long  and  inflamma- 
tory harangue,  in  which  he  expatiated  with  great  elo- 
quence and  fervor  on  the  wrongs  of  the  Catholic  party, 
and  the  deplorable  condition  of  their  church.  "  It  were 
easy  to  slay  the  tyrant  by  whom  we  are  oppressed,"  he 
said,  in  conclusion  ;  "  but  his  destruction  would  be  small 
gain  to  us.  We  must  strike  deeper,  to  hew  down  the 
baneful  stock  of  heresy.  All  our  adversaries  must  perish 
with  him,  and  in  such  a  manner  as  shall  best  attest  the 
vengeance  of  Heaven.  Placed  beneath  the  Parliament 
House,  a  mine  of  powder  shall  hurl  its  heretical  occupants 
into  the  air, — nor  shall  any  one  survive  the  terrible 
explosion.     Are  we  all  agreed  to  this  plan  ?  " 

All  the  conspirators  expressed  their  assent,  except  Sir 
Everard  Digby. 

"  Before  I  give  my  concurrence  to  the  measure,"  ob- 
served the  latter,  "I  would  fain  be  resolved  by  Father 
Garnet  whether  it  is  lawful  to  destroy  some  few  of  our 
own  faith  with  so  many  heretics." 

"  Unquestionably,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet.  "  As  in 
besieging  a  city  we  have  a  right  to  kill  all  within  it, 
whether  friends  or  enemies,  so  in  this  case  we  are  justified 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  135 

in  destroying  the  innocent  with  the  guilty,  because  tlieir 
destruction  will  be  advantageous  to  the  Catholic  cause." 

"  I  am  satisfied,"  replied  Digby. 

"  As  to  the  tyrant  and  apostate  James,"  continued  Gar- 
net, "he  is  excommunicated,  and  his  subjects  released 
from  their  allegiance.  I  have  two  breves  sent  over  by 
his  holiness  Pope  Clement  VIII.  three  years  ago,  one 
directed  to  the  clergy,  and  the  other  to  the  nobility  of 
this  realm,  wherein,  alluding  to  Queen  Elizabeth,  it  is 
expressly  declared  that,  '  so  soon  as  that  miserable  woman 
should  depart  out  of  this  life,  none  shall  be  permitted  to 
ascend  the  throne,  how  near  soever  in  proximity  of  blood, 
unless  they  are  such  as  will  not  only  tolerate  the  Catholic 
faith,  but  in  every  way  support  it.'  By  this  brief,  James 
is  expressly  excluded.  He  has  betrayed,  not  supported 
the  Church  of  Rome.  Having  broken  his  word  with  us, 
and  oppressed  our  brethren  more  rigorously  even  than 
his  predecessor,  the  remorseless  Elizabeth,  he  is  unworthy 
longer  to  reign,  and  must  be  removed." 

"  He  must,"  reiterated  the  conspirators. 

"  The  Parliament  House  being  the  place  where  all  the 
mischief  done  us  has  been  contrived  by  our  adversaries, 
it  is  fitting  that  it  should  be  the  place  of  their  chastise- 
ment," remarked  Catesby. 

"  Doubtless,"  rejoined  Ambrose  Rookwood. 

"  Yet  if  the  blow  we  meditate  should  miscarry,"  ob- 
served Thomas  Winter,  "the  injury  to  the  Catholic 
religion  will  be  so  great,  that  not  only  our  enemies,  but 
our  very  friends  will  condemn  us." 

"  There  is  no  chance  of  miscarriage,  if  we  are  true  to 
each  other,"  returned  Catesby,  confidently.  "And  if  I 
suspected  any  one  of  treachery,  I  would  plunge  my  swojd 
into  his  bosom,  were  he  my  brother." 

"  You  would  do  wrong  to  act  thus  on  mere  suspicion," 
remarked  Tresham,  who  stood  near  him. 

"  In  a  case  like  this,  he  who  gives  the  slightest  ground 
for  doubt  would  merit  death,"  replied  Catesby,  sternly ; 
"and  I  would  slay  him." 


136  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  ITum  !  "  exclaimed  Tresham,  uneasily. 

"Mr.  Catesby  will  now  perhaps  inform  us  what  has 
been  done  to  carry  the  project  into  effect?"  inquired  Sir 
Everard  Digby. 

"  A  small  habitation  has  been  taken  by  one  of  our  con- 
federates, Mr.  Thomas  Percy,  immediately  adjoining  the 
Parliament  House,"  replied  Catesby,  "  from  the  cellar  of 
which  it  is  proposed  to  dig  a  mine  through  the  wall  of 
the  devoted  building,  and  to  deposit  within  it  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  gunpowder  and  other  combustibles  to  accom- 
plish our  purpose.  This  mine  must  be  digged  by  our- 
selves, as  we  can  employ  no  assistants,  and  will  be  a 
laborious  and  dangerous  task.  But  I  for  one  will  cheer- 
fully undertake  it." 

"And  I,"  said  the  elder  Wright. 

"  And  I,"  cried  several  others. 

"  Supposing  the  mine  digged,  and  the  powder  de- 
posited," observed  Ambrose  Rookwood,  "whose  hand 
will  fire  the  train  ?  " 

"  Mine  1 "  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  throwing  open  the  door. 
As  soon  as  he  had  spoken,  he  retired  and  closed  it  after 
him. 

"  He  will  keep  his  word,"  remarked  Garnet.  "  He  is  of 
a  nature  so  resolute  that  he  would  destroy  himself  with 
the  victims  rather  than  fail.  Catiline  was  not  a  bolder 
conspirator  than  Guy  Fawkes." 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  observed  Catesby,  "  we  are  now  at 
the  latter  end  of  July.  All  must  be  ready  against  the 
meeting  of  Parliament  in  November." 

"There  is  some  likelihood,  I  hear,  that  the  meeting  of 
the  house  will  be  prorogued  till  February,"  remarked 
Tresham. 

"  So  much  the  better,"  rejoined  Catesby,  "  it  will  give 
us  more  time  for  preparation." 

"  So  much  the  worse,  I  think,"  cried  Ambrose  Rook- 
wood, "  Delays  are  ever  dangerous,  and  doubly  danger- 
ous in  a  case  like  ours." 

"  I  urn  far  from  desiring  to  throw  any  impediment  in 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  137 

the  way  of  our  design,"  observed  Sir  Everard  Digby,  "  but 
I  would  recommend,  before  we  proceed  to  this  terrible 
extremity,  that  one  last  effort  should  be  made  to  move 
the  King  in  our  behalf." 

"  It  is  useless,"  replied  Catesby.  "  So  far  from  tolera- 
tion, he  meditates  severer  measures  against  us  ;  and,  I  am 
well  assured,  if  Parliament  is  allowed  to  meet,  such  laws 
will  be  passed  as  will  bring  all  of  us  within  premunire. 
No,  no.  We  have  no  hope  from  James,  nor  his  minis- 
ters." 

"  Nor  yet  from  France  or  Spain,"  observed  Thomas 
Winter.  "In  my  conference  with  the  Constable  Velasco 
at  Bergen,  I  received  assurance  of  the  good-will  of  Philip 
towards  us,  but  no  distinct  promise  of  interference  in  our 
behalf.  The  Archduke  Albert  is  well  disposed,  but  he 
can  render  no  assistance.  We  must  depend  upon  our- 
selves." 

"  Ay,  marry,  must  we,"  replied  Catesby,  "  and  fortunate 
is  it  that  we  have  devised  a  plan  by  which  we  can  accom- 
plish our  purpose  unaided.  We  only  require  funds  to 
follow  up  with  effect  the  blow  we  shall  strike." 

"  My  whole  fortune  shall  be  placed  at  your  disposal," 
replied  Sir  Everard  Digby. 

"  Part  of  mine  has  already  been  given,"  said  Tresham, 
"  and  the  rest  shall  follow." 

"  Would  I  had  aught  to  peril  in  the  matter  except  my 
life,"  said  Catesby.  "  I  would  throw  everything  upon  the 
stake." 

"  You  do  enough  in  venturing  thus  much,  my  son," 
rejoined  Garnet.  "To  you  the  whole  conduct  of  the 
enterprise  is  committed." 

"  I  live  for  nothing  else,"  replied  Catesby,  "  and  if  I 
see  it  successful,  I  shall  have  lived  long  enough." 

"  Cannot  Sir  William  Radcliffe  be  induced  to  join  us  ?  " 
asked  Rookwood.  "  He  would  be  an  important  acqui- 
sition, and  his  wealth  would  prove  highly  8er\iceable." 

"  I  have  sounded  him,"  answered  Catesby.  "  But  he 
appears  reluctant." 


138  GUY  FAWKES. 

«  Be  not  satisfied  with  one  attempt,"  urged  Christopher 
Wright.  "  The  jeopardy  in  which  he  now  stands  may 
make  him  cliange  his  mind." 

"  I  am  loth  to  interrupt  the  discussion,"  returned  Garnet, 
"  but  I  think  we  liave  tarried  here  long  enough.  We  will 
meet  again  at  midnight,  when  I  hope  to  introduce  Sir 
William  Radcliffe  to  you  as  a  confederate." 

The  party  then  separated,  and  Garnet  went  in  search 
of  the  knight. 

Ascertaining  that  he  was  in  his  own  chamber,  he  pro- 
ceeded thither,  and  found  him  alone.  Entering  at  once 
upon  the  subject  m  hand.  Garnet  pleaded  his  cause  with 
so  much  zeal  that  he  at  last  wrung  a  reluctant  consent 
from  the  listener.  Scarcely  able  to  conceal  his  exulta- 
tion, he  then  proposed  to  Sir  William  to  adjourn  with 
him  to  the  private  chapel  in  the  house,  where,  having 
taken  the  oath,  and  received  the  sacrament  upon  it,  he 
should  forthwith  be  introduced  to  the  conspirators,  and 
the  whole  particulars  of  the  plot  revealed  to  him.  To 
this  the  knight,  with  some  hesitation,  agreed.  As  they 
traversed  a  gallery  leading  to  the  chapel,  they  met 
Viviana.  For  the  first  time  in  his  life  Radcliffe's  gaze 
sank  before  his  daughter,  and  he  would  have  passed  her 
without  speaking  had  she  not  stopped  him. 

"  Father  !  dear  father !  "  she  cried,  "  I  know  whither 
you  are  going — and  for  what  purpose.  Do  not — do  not 
join  them." 

Sir  William  Radcliffe  made  no  reply,  but  endeavored 
gently  to  push  her  aside. 

She  would  not,  however,  be  repulsed,  but  prostrating 
herself  before  him,  clasped  his  knees,  and  besought  him 
not  to  proceed. 

Making  a  significant  gesture  to  Sir  William,  Garnet 
walked  forward. 

"  Viviana,"  cried  the  knight,  sternly,  "  my  resolution  is 
taken.     I  command  you  to  retire  to  your  chamber." 

So  saying,  he  broke  from  her,  and  followed  Garnet. 
Clasping  her  hands  to  her  brow,  Viviana  gazed  for  a  mo- 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  139 

merit  with  a  frenzied  look  after  him,  and  then  rushed 
from  the  gallery. 

On  reaching  the  chapel,  Sir  William,  who  had  been 
much  shaken  by  this  meeting,  was  some  minutes  in 
recovering  his  composure.  Garnet  employed  the  time  in 
renewing  his  arguments,  and  with  so  much  address  that 
he  succeeded  in  quieting  the  scruples  of  conscience  which 
had  been  awakened  in  the  knight's  breast  by  his 
daughter's  warning. 

"  And  now,  my  son,"  he  said,  "  since  you  have  deter- 
mined to  enroll  your  name  in  the  list  of  those  sworn  to 
deliver  their  church  from  oppression,  take  this  primer  in 
your  hand,  and  kneel  down  before  the  altar,  while  I  ad- 
minister the  oath  which  is  to  unite  you  to  us." 

Garnet  then  advanced  towards  the  altar,  and  Sir  Wil- 
liam was  about  to  prostrate  himself  upon  a  cushion  be- 
side it,  when  the  door  was  suddenly  thrown  open,  and 
Guy  Fawkes  strode  into  the  chapel. 

"  Hold !  "  he  exclaimed,  grasping  Radcliffe's  right  arm, 
and  fixing  his  dark  glance  upon  him;  "you  shall  not 
take  that  oath." 

"  What  mean  you  ?  "  cried  Garnet,  who,  as  well  as  the 
knight,  was  paralyzed  with  astonishment  at  this  intru- 
sion.    "  Sir  William  Radcliffe  is  about  to  join  us." 

"  I  know  it,"  replied  Fawkes  ;  "  but  it  may  not  be.  He 
has  no  heart  in  the  business,  and  will  lend  it  no  efficient 
assistance.     We  are  better  without  him,  than  with  him." 

As  he  spoke,  he  took  the  primer  from  the  knight's 
hand,  and  laid  it  upon  the  altar. 

"  This  conduct  is  inexplicable,"  cried  Garnet,  angrily. 
"  You  will  answer  for  it  to  others,  as  well  as  to  me." 

"I  will  answer  for  it  to  all,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes. 
"Let  Sir  William  Radcliffe  declare  before  me,  and  before 
Heaven,  that  he  approves  the  measure,  and  I  am  content 
he  should  take  the  oath." 

"  I  cannot  belie  my  conscience  by  saying  so,"  replied 
the  knight,  who  appeared  agitated  by  conflicting  emo- 
tions. 


140  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Yet  you  have  promised  to  join  us,"  cried  Garnet,  re- 
proachfully, 

"  Better  break  that  promise  than  a  solemn  oath,"  re- 
joined Guy  Fawkes,  sternly.  "  Sir  William  Radcliffe, 
there  are  reasons  why  you  should  not  join  this  conspiracy, 
Examine  your  inmost  heart,  and  it  will  tell  you  what 
they  are." 

"  I  understand  you,"  replied  the  knight. 

"  Get  hence,"  cried  Garnet,  unable  to  control  his  indig- 
nation, "  or  I  will  pronounce  our  Church's  most  terrible 
malediction  against  you." 

"  I  shall  not  shrink  from  it,  father,"  rejoined  Fawkes, 
humblj'',  but  firmly,  "  seeing  I  am  acting  rightly." 

"  Undeceive  yourself,  then,  at  once,"  returned  Garnet, 
"  and  learn  that  you  are  thwarting  our  great  and  holy 
purpose." 

"  On  the  contrary,"  replied  Fawkes,  "  I  am  promoting 
it,  by  preventing  one  from  joining  it  who  will  endanger 
its  success." 

"  You  are  a  traitor !  "  cried  Garnet,  furiously. 

"  A  traitor !  "  exclaimed  Guy  Fawkes,  his  eye  blazing 
with  fierce  luster,  though  his  voice  and  demeanor  were 
unaltered, — "  I,  who  have  been  warned  thrice, — twice  by 
the  dead, — and  lastly  by  a  vision  from  heaven,  yet  still 
remain  firm  to  my  purjjose, — I,  who  have  voluntarily  em- 
braced the  most  dangerous  and  difficult  part  of  the  enter- 
prise,— I,  who  would  suffer  the  utmost  extremity  of  tor- 
ture, rather  than  utter  a  word  that  should  reveal  it, — a 
traitor !  No,  father,  I  am  none.  If  you  think  so,  take 
this  sword  and  at  once  put  an  end  to  your  doubts." 

There  was  something  so  irresistible  in  the  manner  of 
Guy  Fawkes,  that  Garnet  remained  silent. 

"  Do  with  me  what  you  please,"  continued  Fawkes  ; 
"  but  do  not  compel  Sir  William  Radcliffe  to  join  the 
conspiracy.     He  will  be  fatal  to  it," 

"  No  one  shall  compel  me  to  join  it,"  replied  the 
knight, 

"  Perhaps  it  is  better  thus,"  returned  Garnet,  after  a 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  141 

pause,  during  which  he  was  buried  in  reflection.  "  I  will 
urge  you  no  further,  my  son.  But  before  you  depart  you 
must  swear  not  to  divulge  what  you  have  just  learnt." 

"Willingly,"  replied  the  knight. 

"There  is  another  person  who  must  also  take  that 
oath,"  said  Guy  Fawkes,  "having  accidentally  become 
acquainted  with  as  much  as  yourself." 

And  stepping  out  of  the  chapel,  he  immediately  after- 
wards returned  with  Viviana. 

"  You  will  now  understand  why  I  would  not  allow  Sir 
"William  to  join  the  conspiracy,"  he  observed  to  Garnet. 

"I  do,"  replied  the  latter,  gloomily. 

The  oath  administered,  the  knight  and  his  daughter 
quitted  the  chapel,  accompanied  by  Guy  Fawkes.  Viviana 
was  profuse  in  her  expressions  of  gratitude,  nor  was  her 
father  less  earnest  in  his  acknowledgments. 

A  few  hours  after  this,  Sir  William  Radcliffe  informed 
Sir  Everard  Digby  that  it  was  his  intention  to  depart 
immediately,  and,  though  the  latter  attempted  to  dis- 
suade him  by  representing  the  danger  to  which  he  would 
be  exposed,  he  continued  inflexible.  The  announcement 
surprised  both  Catesby  and  Garnet,  who  were  present 
when  it  was  made,  and  added  their  entreaties  to  those  of 
Digby — but  without  effect.  Catesby's  proposal  to  serve 
as  an  escort  was  likewise  refused  by  Sir  William,  who 
said  he  had  no  fears,  and  when  questioned  as  to  his 
destination,  he  returned  an  evasive  answer.  This  sudden 
resolution  of  the  knight  coupled  with  his  refusal  to  join 
the  plot,  alarmed  the  conspirators,  and  more  than  one 
expressed  fears  of  treachery.  Sir  Everard  Digby,  how- 
ever, was  not  of  the  number,  but  asserted  that  Radcliffe 
Avas  a  man  of  the  highest  honor,  and  he  would  answer 
for  his  secrecy  with  his  life. 

"Will  you  answer  for  that  of  his  daughter  ?  "  demanded 
Tresham. 

"  I  will,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"To  put  the  matter  beyond  a  doubt,"  observed  Catesby, 
« I  will  set  out  shortly  after  him,  and  follow  him  unob* 


142  GUY  FAWKES. 

served  till  he  halts  for  the  night,  and  ascertain  whether 
he  stops  at  any  suspicious  quarter." 

"Do  so,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet. 

"It  is  needless,"  observed  Sir  Everard  Digby ;  "but do 
as  you  please." 

By  this  time,  Radcliffe's  horses  being  brought  round  by 
Ileydocke,  he  and  his  daughter  took  a  hasty  leave  of  their 
friends.  When  they  had  been  gone  a  few  minutes,  Cates- 
by  called  for  his  steed ;  and,  after  exchanging  a  word  or 
two  with  Garnet,  rode  after  them.  He  had  proceeded 
about  a  couple  of  miles  along  a  cross-road  leading  to  Nant- 
wich,  which  he  learnt  from  some  cottagers  was  the  route 
taken  by  the  party  before  him,  when  he  heard  the  tramp 
of  a  horse  in  the  rear,  and,  turning  at  the  sound,  beheld 
Guy  Fawkes.  Drawing  in  the  bridle,  he  halted  till  the 
latter  came  up,  and  angrily  demanded  on  what  errand  he 
was  ben 

"  My  errand  is  the  same  as  your  own,"  replied  Fawkes. 
"  I  intend  to  follow  Sir  William  Radcliffe,  and,  if  need  be, 
defend  him." 

Whatever  Catesby's  objections  might  be  to  this  com- 
panionship, he  did  not  think  fit  to  declare  them,  and, 
though  evidently  much  displeased,  suffered  Guy  Fawkes 
to  ride  by  his  side  without  opposition. 

Having  gained  the  summit  of  the  mountainous  range 
extending  from  Malpas  to  Tottenhall,  whence  they  beheld 
the  party  whose  course  they  were  tracking  enter  a  narrow 
lane  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  Catesby,  fearful  of  losing  sight 
of  them,  set  spurs  to  his  steed.  Guy  Fawkes  kept  close 
beside  him,  and  they  did  not  slacken  their  pace  until  they 
reached  the  lane. 

Having  proceeded  along  it  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  they 
were  alarmed  by  the  sudden  report  of  firearms,  followed 
by  a  loud  shriek,  which  neither  of  them  doubted  was 
uttered  by  Viviana.  Again  dashing  forward,  on  turning  a 
corner  of  the  road,  they  beheld  the  party  surrounded  by 
half-a-dozen  troopers.  Sir  William  Radcliffe  had  shot  one 
()f  his  assailants,  and,  assisted  by  Heydocke,  was  defend,- 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  143 

ing  himself  bravely  against  the  others.  "With  loud  shouts, 
Catesby  and  Guy  Fawkes  galloped  towards  the  scene  of 
strife.  But  they  were  too  late.  A  bullet  pierced  the 
knight's  brain  ;  and  he  no  sooner  fell,  than,  regardless  of 
himself,  the  old  steward  flung  away  his  sword,  and  threw 
himself,  with  the  most  j)iteous  lamentations,  on  the  body. 

Viviana,  meanwhile  had  been  compelled  to  dismount, 
and  was  in  the  hands  of  the  troopers.  On  seeing  her 
father's  fate,  her  shrieks  were  so  heart-piercing,  that  even 
her  captors  were  moved  to  compassion.  Fighting  his  way 
towards  her,  Catesby  cut  down  one  of  the  troopers,  and 
snatching  her  from  the  grasp  of  the  other,  who  was  terri- 
fied by  the  furious  assault,  placed  her  on  the  saddle  beside 
him,  and  striking  spurs  into  his  charger  at  the  same  mo- 
ment, leapt  the  hedge,  and  made  good  his  retreat. 

This  daring  action,  however,  could  not  have  been  ac- 
complished without  the  assistance  of  Guy  Fawkes,  who 
warded  off  with  his  rapier  all  the  blows  aimed  at  him 
and  bis  lovely  charge.  While  thus  engaged,  he  received 
a  severe  cut  on  the  head,  which  stretched  him  senseless 
and  bleeding  beneath  his  horse's  feet. 


144  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE    PACKET. 

On  recovering  from  the  effects  of  the  wound  he  had  re- 
ceived from  the  trooper,  Guy  Fawkes  found  himself 
stretched  upon  a  small  bed  in  a  cottage,  with  Viviana  and 
Catesby  watching  beside  him,  A  thick  fold  of  linen  was 
bandaged  round  his  head,  and  he  Avas  so  faint  from  the 
great  effusion  of  blood  he  had  sustained,  that,  after  gazing 
vacantly  around  him  for  a  few  minutes,  and  but  imjjerfect- 
ly  comprehending  what  he  beheld,  his  eyes  closed,  and  he 
relapsed  into  insensibility.  Restoratives  being  applied,  he 
revived  in  a  short  time,  and,  in  answer  to  his  inquiries 
how  he  came  thither,  was  informed  by  Catesby  that  he 
had  been  left  for  dead  by  his  assailants,  who,  contenting 
themselves  with  making  the  old  steward  prisoner,  had 
ridden  off  in  the  direction  of  Chester. 

"  What  has  become  of  Sir  William  Radcliffe  ?  "  asked 
the  wounded  man  in  a  feeble  voice. 

Catesby  raised  his  finger  to  his  lips,  and  Fawkes  learnt 
the  distressing  nature  of  the  question  he  had  asked  by  the 
agonizing  cry  that  burst  from  Viviana.  Unable  to  control 
her  grief,  she  withdrew,  and  Catesby  then  told  him  that 
the  body  of  Sir  William  Radcliffe  was  lying  in  an  adjoin- 
ing cottage,  whither  it  had  been  transported  from  the 
scene  of  the  conflict ;  adding  that  it  was  Viviana's  earnest 
desire  that  it  should  be  conveyed  to  Manchester  to  the 
family  vault  in  the  Collegiate  Church ;  but  that  he  feared 
her  wish  could  not  be  safely  complied  with.  A  messen- 
ger, however,  had  been  despatched  to  Holt;  and  Sir 
Everard  Digby,  and  Fathers  Garnet  and  Oldcorne,  were 
momentarily  expected,  when  some  course  would  be  de- 
cided upon  for  the  disposal  of  the  unfortunate  knight's 
remains, 


THE  PACKET.  I45 

"  Poor  Viviana  !  "  groaned  Fawkes.  "  She  has  now  no 
protector." 

"Rest  easy  on  that  score,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "She 
shall  never  want  one  while  I  live." 

The  wounded  man  fixed  his  eyes,  now  blazing  with  red 
and  unnatural  light,  inquiringly  upon  him,  but  he  said 
nothing. 

"  I  know  what  you  mean,"  continued  Catesby ;  "  you 
think  I  shall  wed  her,  and  you  are  in  the  right.  I  shall. 
The  marriage  is  essential  to  our  enterprise  ;  and  the  only 
obstacle  to  it  is  removed." 

Fawkes  attempted  to  reply,  but  his  parched  tongue  re- 
fused its  office.  Catesby  arose,  and  carefully  raising  his 
head,  held  a  cup  of  water  to  his  lips.  The  sufferer  eager- 
ly drained  it,  and  would  have  asked  for  more ;  but  seeing 
that  the  request  would  be  refused,  he  left  it  unuttered. 

"  Have  you  examined  my  wound  ? "  he  said,  after  a 
pause. 

Catesby  answered  in  the  affirmative. 

"  And  do  you  judge  it  mortal  ? "  continued  Fawkes. 
"  Not  that  I  have  any  fear  of  Death.  I  have  looked  him 
in  the  face  too  often  for  that.  But  I  have  somewhat  on 
my  mind  which  I  would  fain  discharge  before  my  earthly 
pilgrimage  is  ended." 

"  Do  not  delay  it  then,"  rejoined  the  other.  "  Knowing 
I  speak  to  a  soldier,  and  a  brave  one,  I  do  not  hesitate  to 
tell  you  your  hours  are  numbered." 

"  Heaven's  will  be  done !  "  exclaimed  Fawkes,  in  a  tone 
of  resignation.  "  I  thought  myself  destined  to  be  one  of 
the  chief  instruments  of  the  restoration  of  our  holy  relig- 
ion. But  I  find  I  was  mistaken.  When  Father  Garnet 
arrives,  I  beseech  you  let  me  see  him  instantly.  Or,  if  he 
should  not  come  speedily,  entreat  Miss  Radcliffe  to  grant 
me  a  few  moments  in  private." 

"  Wliy  not  unburthen  yourself  to  me  ? "  returned 
Catesby,  distrustfully.  "  In  your  circumstances  I  should 
desire  no  better  confessor  than  a  brother  soldier, — no 
other  crucifix  than  a  sword-hilt." 


146  GUY  FAWKES. 

"Nor  I,"  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  But  this  is  no  confession 
I  am  about  to  make.  What  I  have  to  say  relates  to 
others,  not  to  myself." 

"  Indeed  ! "  exclaimed  Catesby.  "  Then  there  is  the 
more  reason  why  it  should  not  be  deferred.  I  hold  it  my 
duty  to  tell  you  that  the  fever  of  your  wound  will,  in  all 
probability,  produce  delirium.  Make  your  communication 
while  your  senses  remain  to  you.  And  whatever  you 
enjoin  shall  be  rigorously  fulfilled." 

"  Will  you  swear  this  ?  "  cried  Fawkes,  eagerly.  But 
before  an  answer  could  be  returned,  he  added,  in  an 
altered  tone,  "  No, — no, — it  cannot  be." 

"  This  is  no  time  for  anger,"  rejoined  Catesby,  sternly, 
"  or  I  should  ask  whether  you  doubt  the  assurance  I  have 
given  you  ?  " 

"  I  doubt  nothing  but  your  compliance  with  my  re- 
quest," returned  Fawkes.  "  And  oh  !  if  you  hope  to  be 
succored  at  your  hour  of  need,  tell  Miss  Radcliife  I 
desire  to  speak  with  her." 

"The  message  will  not  need  to  be  conveyed,"  said 
Viviana,  who  had  noiselessly  entered  the  room  ;  "  she  is 
here." 

Guy  Fawkes  turned  his  gaze  in  the  direction  of  the 
voice;  and,  notwithstanding  his  own  deplorable  condi- 
tion, he  was  filled  with  concern  at  the  change  wrought  in 
her  appearance  by  the  terrible  shock  she  had  undergone. 
Her  countenance  was  as  pale  as  death, — her  eyes,  from 
which  no  tears  would  flow,  as  is  ever  the  case  with  the 
deepest  distress,  were  glassy  and  lusterless, — her  luxuri- 
ant hair  hung  in  disheveled  masses  over  her  shoulders, 
— and  her  attire  was  soiled  and  disordered. 

"  You  desire  to  speak  with  me,"  she  continued,  advanc- 
ing towards  the  couch  of  the  wounded  man. 

« It  must  be  alone,"  he  replied. 

Viviana  glanced  at  Catesby,  who  reluctantly  arose,  and 
closed  the  door  after  him.     "  We  are  alone  now,"  she  said. 

"  Water  1  water  ! "  gasped  the  sufferer,  "  or  I  perish." 
His  request  being  complied  with,  he  continued  in  a  low 


THE  PACKET.  I47 

solemn  voice,  "  Viviana,  you  have  lost  the  dearest  friend 
you  had  on  earth,  and  you  will  soon  lose  one  who,  if  he 
had  been  spared,  would  have  endeavored,  as  far  as  he 
could,  to  rej^air  the  loss.  I  say  not  this  to  aggravate 
your  distress,  but  to  prove  the  sincerity  of  my  regard. 
Let  me  conjure  you,  with  my  dying  breath,  not  to  wed 
Mr.  Catesby." 

"  Fear  it  not,"  replied  Viviana.  "  I  would  rather  en- 
dure death  than  consent  to  do  so." 

"  Be  upon  your  guard  against  him,  then,"  continued 
Fawkes.  "  When  an  object  is  to  be  gained,  he  suffers 
few  scruples  to  stand  in  his  way." 

*'  I  am  well  aware  of  it,"  replied  Viviana ;  "  and  on  the 
arrival  of  Sir  Everard  Digby,  I  shall  place  myself  under 
his  protection." 

"  Should  you  be  driven  to  extremity,"  said  Fawkes, 
taking  a  small  packet  from  the  folds  of  his  doublet, 
"  break  open  this ;  it  will  inform  you  what  to  do.  Only 
promise  me  you  will  not  have  recourse  to  it  till  all  other 
means  have  failed." 

Viviana  took  the  packet,  and  gave  the  required  prom- 
ise. 

"  Conceal  it  about  your  person,  and  guard  it  carefully," 
continued  Fawkes ;  "  for  you  know  not  when  you  may 
require  it.  And  now,  having  cleared  my  conscience,  I 
can  die  easily.     Let  me  have  your  prayers." 

Viviana  knelt  down  by  the  bedside,  and  poured  forth 
the  most  earnest  supplications  in  his  behalf. 

"  Perhaps,"  she  said,  as  she  arose,  "  and  it  is  some  con- 
solation to  think  so, — you  may  be  saved  by  death  from 
the  commission  of  a  great  crime,  which  would  forever 
have  excluded  you  from  the  joys  of  heaven." 

"  Say  rather,"  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  whose  brain  began  to 
wander,  "  which  would  have  secured  them  to  me.  Others 
will  achieve  it ;  but  I  shall  have  no  share  in  their  glory, 
or  their  reward." 

"  Their  reward  will  be  perdition  in  this  world  and  in 
the  next,"  rejoined  Viviana.    "  I  repeat,  that  though  I 


148  GUY  FAWKES. 

deeply  deplore  your  condition,  I  rejoice  in  your  delivery 
from  this  sin.  It  is  better — far  better — to  die  thius,  than 
by  the  hands  of  the  common  executioner." 

"  What  do  I  see  ?  "  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  trying  to  raise 
himself,  and  sinking  back  again  instantly  upon  the  pillow. 
"  Elizabeth  Orton  rises  before  me.  She  beckons  me  after 
her — I  come  ! — I  come  !  " 

"  Heaven  pity  him  I  "  cried  Viviana.  "  His  senses  have 
left  him  1 " 

"  She  leads  me  into  a  gloomy  cavern,"  continued 
Fawkes,  more  wildly  ;  "  but  my  eyes  are  like  the  wolf's, 
and  can  penetrate  the  darkness.  It  is  filled  with  barrels 
of  gunpowder.  I  see  them  ranged  in  tiers,  one  above 
another.  Ah !  I  know  where  I  am  now.  It  is  the  vault 
beneath  the  Parliament  House.  The  King  and  his  nobles 
are  assembled  in  the  hall  above.  Lend  me  a  torch,  that  I 
may  fire  the  train,  and  blow  them  into  the  air.  Quick  1 
quick !  I  have  sworn  their  destruction,  and  will  keep  my 
oath!  What  matter  if  I  perish  with  them  ?  Give  me  the 
torch,  I  say,  or  it  will  be  too  late.  Is  the  powder  damp 
that  it  will  not  kindle  ?  And  see  !  the  torch  is  expiring— 
it  is  gone  out !  Distraction  ! — to  be  baffled  thus  !  Why 
do  you  stand  and  glare  at  me  Avith  your  stony  eyes  ?  Who 
are  those  with  you  ?  Fiends  ! — no  !  they  are  armed  men. 
They  seize  me — they  drag  me  before  a  grave  assemblage. 
What  is  that  hideous  engine?  The  rack  ! — Bind  me  on 
it — break  every  limb — ye  shall  not  force  me  to  confess — 
ha  !  ha  I     I  laugh  at  your  threats — ha  !  ha !  " 

"  Mother  of  mercy  !  release  him  from  this  torture !  " 
cried  Viviana. 

"  So  !  ye  have  condemned  me,"  continued  Fawkes,  "  and 
will  drag  me  to  execution.  Well,  well,  I  am  prepared. 
But  what  a  host  is  assembled  to  see  me  !  Ten  thousand 
faces  are  turned  towards  me,  and  all  with  one  abhorrent 
bloodthirsty  expression.  And  what  a  scaffold !  Get  it 
done  quickly,  thou  butcherly  villain.  The  rope  is  twisted 
round  my  throat  in  serpent  folds.  It  strangles  me — 
ahl" 


THE  PACKET.  149 

«  Horror !  "  exclaimed  Viviana.  « I  can  listen  to  thig 
no  longer.     Help,  Mr.  Catesby,  help  1 " 

"  The  knife  is  at  my  breast — it  pierces  my  flesh my 

heart  is  torn  forth— I  die  I    I  die  1 "    And  he  uttered  a 
dreadful  groan. 

"What  has  happened?"  cried  Catesby,  rushing  into 
the  room.     « Is  he  dead  ?  " 

"  I  fear  so,"  replied  Viviana ;  «  and  his  end  has  been  a 
fearful  one." 

«No — no,"  said  Catesby;  "his  pulse  still  beats— but 
fiercely  and  feverishly.  You  had  better  not  remain  here 
longer,  Miss  RadclLffe.  I  will  watch  over  him.  All  will 
soon  be  over." 

Aware  that  she  could  be  of  no  further  use,  Viviana  cast 
a  look  of  the  deepest  commiseration  at  the  sufferer,  and 
retired.  The  occupant  of  the  cottage,  an  elderly  female, 
had  surrendered  all  the  apartments  of  her  tenement,  ex- 
cept one  small  room,  to  her  guests,  and  she  was  therefore 
undisturbed.  The  terrible  event  which  had  recently  oc- 
curred, and  the  harrowing  scene  she  had  just  witnessed, 
were  too  much  for  Viviana,  and  her  anguish  was  so  in- 
tense, that  she  began  to  fear  her  reason  was  deserting  her. 
She  stood  still, — gazed  fearfully  around,  as  if  some  secret 
danger  environed  her, — clasped  her  hands  to  her  temples, 
and  found  them  burning  like  hot  iron, — and,  then, 
alarmed  at  her  own  state,  knelt  down,  prayed,  and  wept. 
Yes !  she  wept,  for  the  first  time,  since  her  father's  de- 
struction, and  the  relief  afforded  by  those  scalding  tears 
was  inexpressible. 

From  this  piteous  state  she  was  aroused  by  the  tramp 
of  horses  at  the  door  of  the  cottage,  and  the  next  moment 
Father  Garnet  presented  himself. 

"  How  uncertain  are  human  affairs ! "  he  said,  after 
a  sorrowful  greeting  had  passed  between  them.  "  I 
little  thought,  when  we  parted  yesterday,  we  should 
meet  again  so  soon,  and  under  such  afflicting  circum- 
stances." 

«It  is  the  will  of  Heaven,  father,"  replied  Viviana, 


150  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  and  we  must  not  murmur  at  its  decrees,  but  bear  our 
chastening  as  we  best  may." 

"  I  am  happy  to  find  vqu  in  such  a  comfortable  frame  of 
mind,  dear  daughter,  I  feared  the  effect  of  the  shock  upon 
your  feelings.  But  I  am  glad  to  find  you  bear  up  against 
it  so  well." 

"  I  am  surprised  at  my  own  firmness,  father,"  replied 
Viviana,  "  But  I  have  been  schooled  in  affliction.  I  have 
no  tie  left  to  bind  me  to  the  world,  and  shall  retire  from 
it,  not  only  without  regret,  but  with  eagerness." 

«  Say  not  so,  dear  daughter,"  replied  Garnet.  "  You 
have,  I  trust,  much  happiness  in  store  for  you  ;  and  when 
the  sharpness  of  your  aifliction  is  worn  off,  you  will  view 
your  condition  in  a  more  cheering  light." 

« Impossible ! "  she  cried,  mournfully.  "  Hope  is  wholly 
extinct  in  my  breast.  But  I  will  not  contest  the  point. 
Is  not  Sir  Everard  Digby  with  you  ?  " 

"  He  is  not,  daughter,"  replied  Garnet,  "  and  I  will  ex- 
plain to  you  wherefore.  Soon  after  your  departure  yes- 
terday, the  mansion  we  occupied  at  Holt  was  attacked  by 
a  band  of  soldiers,  headed  by  Miles  Topcliffe,  one  of  the 
most  unrelenting  of  our  persecutors ;  and  though  they 
were  driven  off  with  some  loss,  yet,  as  there  was  every 
reason  to  apprehend  they  would  return  with  fresh  force. 
Sir  Everard  judged  it  prudent  to  retreat ;  and  accordingly 
he  and  his  friends,  with  all  their  attendants,  except  those 
he  has  sent  with  me,  have  departed  for  Buckingham- 
shire." 

"  Where,  then,  is  Father  Oldcorne  ?  "  inquired  Viviana. 

«  Alas !  daughter,"  rejoined  Garnet,  "  I  grieve  to  say 
he  is  a  prisoner.  Imprudently  exposing  himself  during 
the  attack,  he  was  seized  and  carried  off'  by  Topcliffe  and 
his  myrmidons." 

"  How  true  is  the  saying  that  misfortunes  never  come 
single!"  sighed  Viviana.  "I  seem  bereft  of  all  I  hold 
dear." 

"  Sir  Everard  has  sent  four  of  his  trustiest  servants 
with  me,"  remarked  Garnet.     "  They  are  well  armed,  and 


THE  PACKET.  151 

will  attend  you  wherever  you  choose  to  lead  them.  He 
has  also  furnished  me  with  a  sum  of  money  for  your 
use." 

"He  is  most  kind  and  considerate,"  replied  Viviana. 
"And  now,  father,"  she  faltered,  "there  is  one  subject 
which  it  is  necessary  to  speak  upon ;  and,  though  I  shrink 
from  it,  it  must  not  be  postponed." 

"  I  guess  what  you  mean,  daughter,"  said  Garnet, 
sympathizingly ;  "  you  allude  to  the  interment  of  Sir 
William  Radcliffe.     Is  the  body  here  ?  " 

"It  is  in  an  adjoining  cottage,"  replied  Viviana  in  a 
broken  voice.  "  I  have  already  expressed  my  wish  to  Mr. 
Catesby  to  have  it  conveyed  to  Manchester,  to  our  family 
vault." 

"I  see  not  how  that  can  be  accomplished,  dear 
daughter,"  replied  Garnet ;  "  but  I  will  confer  with  Mr. 
Catesby  on  the  subject.     "  Where  is  he  ?  " 

"  In  the  next  room,  by  the  couch  of  Guy  Fawkes,  who 
is  dying,"  said  Viviana. 

"  Dying !  "  echoed  Garnet,  starting.  "  I  heard  he  was 
dangerously  hurt,  but  did  not  suppose  the  wound  would 
prove  fatal.  Here  is  another  grievous  blow  to  the  good 
cause." 

At  this  moment  the  door  was  opened  by  Catesby. 

"  How  is  the  sufferer  ?  "  asked  Garnet. 

"  A  slight  change  for  the  better  appears  to  have  taken 
place,"  answered  Catesby.  "  His  fever  has  in  some  degree 
abated,  and  he  has  sunk  into  a  gentle  slumber." 

"  Can  he  be  removed  with  safety  ?  "  inquired  Garnet ; 
"  for,  I  fear,  if  he  remains  here,  he  will  fall  into  the  hands 
of  Topcliffe  and  his  crew,  who  are  scouring  the  country 
in  every  direction."  And  he  recapitulated  all  he  had  just 
stated  to  Viviana. 

Catesby  was  for  some  time  lost  in  reflection. 

"  I  am  fairly  perplexed  as  to  what  course  it  will  be  best 
to  pursue,"  he  said.  "  Dangers  and  difficulties  beset  us 
on  every  side.  I  am  inclined  to  yield  to  Viviana's  request^ 
and  proceed  to  Manchester." 


152  GUY  FAWKES. 

«  That  will  be  rushing  into  the  very  face  of  danger,'* 
observed  Garnet. 

"  And,  therefore,  may  be  the  safest  plan,"  replied  Cates- 
by.  "  Our  adversaries  will  scarcely  suspect  us  of  so  des- 
perate a  step." 

"  Perhaps  you  are  in  the  right,  my  son,"  returned 
Garnet,  after  a  moment's  reflection.  "At  all  events,  I 
bow  to  your  judgment." 

"  The  plan  is  too  much  in  accordance  with  my  own 
wishes  to  meet  with  any  opposition  on  my  part,"  observed 
Viviana. 

"Will  you  accompany  us,  father?"  asked  Catesby; 
"or  do  you  proceed  to  Gothurst?" 

"  I  will  go  with  you,  my  son.  Viviana  will  need  a  pro- 
tector. And,  till  I  have  seen  her  in  some  place  of  safety, 
I  will  not  leave  her."  ^ 

"  Since  we  have  come  to  this  determination,"  rejoined 
Catesby,  "  as  soon  as  the  needful  preparations  can  be  made, 
and  Guy  Fawkes  has  had  some  hours'  repose,  we  will  set 
out.  Under  cover  of  night  we  can  travel  with  security ; 
and,  by  using  some  exertion,  may  reach  Ordsall  Hall, 
whither,  I  presume,  Viviana  would  choose  to  proceed,  in 
the  first  instance,  before  daybreak." 

"  I  am  well  mounted,  and  so  are  my  attendants,"  re- 
plied Garnet ;  "  and,  by  the  provident  care  of  Sir  Everard 
Digby,  each  of  them  has  a  led  horse  with  him." 

"That  is  well,"  said  Catesby.  "And  now,  Viviana, 
may  I  entreat  you  to  take  my  place  for  a  short  time  by 
the  couch  of  the  sufferer.  In  a  few  hours  everything 
shall  be  in  readiness." 

He  then  retired  with  Garnet,  while  Viviana  proceeded 
to  the  adjoining  chamber,  where  she  found  Guy  Fawkes 
still  slumbering  tranquilly. 

As  the  evening  advanced,  he  awoke,  and  appeared  much 
refreshed.  While  he  was  speaking,  Gai-net  and  Catesby 
approached  his  bedside,  and  he  seemed  overjoyed  at  the 
sight  of  the  former.  The  subject  of  the  journey  being 
mentioned  to  him,  he  at  once  expressed  his  ready  compli- 


THE  PACKET.  I53 

ance  with  the  arrangement,  and  only  desired  that  the  last 
rites  of  his  church  might  be  performed  for  him  before  he 
set  out. 

Garnet  informed  him  that  he  had  come  for  that  very- 
purpose  ;  and  as  soon  as  they  were  left  alone,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  the  discharge  of  his  priestly  duties,  confessed 
and  absolved  him,  giving  him  the  viaticum  and  the  ex- 
treme unction.  And,  lastly,  he  judged  it  expedient  to 
administer  a  powerful  opiate,  to  lull  the  pain  of  his  wound 
on  the  journey. 

This  done,  he  summoned  Catesby,  who,  with  two  of 
the  attendants,  raised  the  couch  on  which  the  wounded 
man  was  stretched,  and  conveyed  him  to  the  litter.  So 
well  was  this  managed,  that  Fawkes  sustained  no  injury, 
and  little  inconvenience,  from  the  movement.  Two  strong 
country  vehicles  had  been  procured ;  the  one  containing 
the  wounded  man's  litter,  the  other  the  shell,  which  had 
been  hastily  put  together,  to  hold  the  remains  of  the 
unfortunate  Sir  William  Radcliffe.  Viviana  being  placed 
in  the  saddle,  and  Catesby  having  liberally  rewarded  the 
cottagers  who  had  afforded  them  shelter,  the  little  caval- 
cade was  put  in  motion.  In  this  way  they  journeyed 
through  the  night;  and  shaping  their  course  through 
Tarporley,  Northwich,  and  Altringham,  arrived  at  day- 
break in  the  neighborhood  of  Ordsall  HalL 


154  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE    ELIXIR. 

On  beholding  the  well-remembered  roof  and  gables  of 
the  old  mansion  peeping  from  out  the  grove  of  trees  in 
which  it  was  embosomed,  Viviana's  heart  died  away 
within  her.  The  thought  that  her  father,  who  had  so 
recently  quitted  it  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  health,  and  of 
every  worldly  blessing,  should  be  so  soon  brought  back  a 
corpse,  was  almost  too  agonizing  for  endurance.  Reflect- 
ing, however,  that  this  was  no  season  for  the  indulgence 
of  grief,  but  that  she  was  called  upon  to  act  with  firm- 
ness, she  bore  up  resolutely  against  her  emotion. 

Arrived  within  a  short  distance  of  the  Hall,  Catesby 
caused  the  little  train  to  halt  under  the  shelter  of  the 
trees,  while  he  rode  forward  to  ascertain  that  they  could 
safely  approach  it.  As  he  drew  near,  everything  pro- 
claimed that  the  hand  of  the  spoiler  had  been  there. 
Crossing  the  drawbridge,  he  entered  the  court,  which 
bore  abundant  marks  of  the  devastation  recently  com- 
mitted. Various  articles  of  furniture,  broken,  burnt,  or 
otherwise  destroyed,  were  lying  scattered  about.  The 
glass  in  the  windows  was  shivered ;  the  doors  forced 
from  their  hinges ;  the  stone-copings  of  the  walls  pushed 
off;  the  flower-beds  trampled  upon;  the  moat  itself  was 
in  some  places  choked  up  with  rubbish,  while  in  others 
its  surface  was  covered  with  floating  pieces  of  timber. 

Led  by  curiosity  Catesby  proceeded  to  the  spot  where 
the  stables  had  stood.  Nothing  but  a  heap  of  blackened 
ruins  met  his  gaze.  Scarcely  one  stone  was  standing  on 
another.  The  appearance  of  the  place  was  so  desolate 
and  disheartening,  that  he  turned  away  instantly.  Leav- 
ing his  horse  in  a  shed,  he  entered  the  house.  Here,  again, 
he  encountered  fresh  ravages.     The  oak-panels  and  skirt- 


THE  ELIXIR.  155 

ing-boards  were  torn  from  the  walls  ;  the  ceilings  pulled 
down  ;  and  the  floor  lay  inch-deep  in  broken  plaster  and 
dust.  On  ascending  to  the  upper  rooms,  be  found  the 
same  disorder.  The  banisters  of  the  stairs  were  broken ; 
the  bedsteads  destroyed  ;  the  roof  partially  untiled. 
Every  room  was  thickly  strewn  with  leaves  torn  from 
valuable  books,  ^vith  fragments  of  apparel,  and  other 
articles,  which  the  searchers  not  being  able  to  carry  off 
had  wantonly  destroyed. 

Having  contemplated  this  scene  of  havoc  for  some  time, 
with  feelings  of  the  bitterest  indignation,  Catesby  de- 
scended to  the  lowest  story;  and,  after  searching  ineffect- 
ually for  the  domestics,  was  about  to  depart,  when,  turn- 
ing suddenly,  he  perceived  a  man  watching  him  from  an 
adjoining  room.  Catesby  instantly  called  to  him ;  but, 
seeing  that  the  fellow  disregarded  his  assurances,  and 
was  about  to  take  to  his  heels,  he  drew  his  sword,  and 
threatened  him  with  severe  punishment  if  he  attempted 
to  fly.  Thus  exhorted,  the  man — who  was  no  other  than 
the  younger  Heydocke — advanced  towards  him ;  and 
throwing  himself  at  his  feet,  begged  him  in  the  most  pit- 
eous terms  to  do  him  no  injury. 

"I  have  already  told  you  I  am  a  friend,"  replied 
Catesby,  sheathing  his  sword. 

"  Ah  !  Mr.  Catesby,  is  it  you  I  behold  ?  "  cried  Martin 
Heydocke,  whose  fears  had  hitherto  prevented  him  from 
noticing  the  features  of  the  intruder.  "What  brings 
your  worship  to  this  ill-fated  house  ?  " 

"  First  let  me  know  if  there  is  any  enemy  about  ?  "  re- 
plied Catesby. 

"  None  that  I  am  aware  of,"  rejoined  Martin.  "  Hav- 
ing ransacked  the  premises,  and  done  all  the  mischief  they 
could,  as  you  perceive,  the  miscreants  departed  the  day 
before  yesterday,  and  I  have  seen  nothing  of  them  since, 
though  I  have  been  constantly  on  the  watch.  The  only 
alarm  I  have  had  was  that  occasioned  by  your  worship 
just  now." 

"  Are  you  alone  here  ?  "  demanded  Catesby. 


156  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  No,  your  worship,"  answered  Martin.  "  There  are 
several  of  the  servants  concealed  in  a  secret  passage 
under  the  house.  But  they  are  so  terrified  by  what  has 
lately  happened,  that  they  never  dare  show  themselves, 
except  during  the  night-time." 

« I  do  not  wonder  at  it,"  replied  Catesby. 

"  And  now  may  I  inquire  whether  your  worship  brings 
any  tidings  of  Sir  William  Radcliffe  and  Mistress 
Viviana  ?  "  rejoined  Martin.  "  I  hope  no  ill  has  befallen 
them.  My  father,  old  Jerome  Ileydocke,  set  out  to  Holy- 
well a  few  days  ago,  to  apprise  them  of  their  danger,  and 
I  have  not  heard  of  them  since." 

«  Sir  William  Radcliffe  is  dead,"  replied  Catesby. 
"The  villains  have  murdered  him.  Your  father  is  a 
prisoner." 

"  Alas !  alas ! "  cried  the  young  man,  bursting  into 
tears ;  "  these  are  fearful  times  to  live  in.  What  will 
become  of  us  all  ?  " 

"  We  must  rise  against  the  oppressor,"  replied  Catesby, 
sternly.     "  Bite  the  heel  that  tramples  upon  us." 

"  We  must,"  rejoined  JMartin.  "  And  if  my  poor  arm 
could  avail,  it  should  not  be  slow  to  strike." 

"  Manfully  resolved  !  "  cried  Catesby,  who  never  lost  an 
opportunity  of  gaining  a  proselyte.  "  I  will  point  out  to 
you  a  way  by  which  you  may  accomplish  what  you  desire. 
But  we  will  talk  of  this  hereafter.  Hoard  up  your 
vengeance  till  the  fitting  moment  for  action  arrives." 

He  then  proceeded  to  explain  to  the  young  man,  who 
was  greatly  surprised  by  the  intelligence,  that  Viviana 
was  at  hand,  and  that  the  body  of  Sir  William  had  been 
brought  thither  for  interment  in  the  family  vault  at  the 
Collegiate  Church.  Having  ascertained  that  there  was  a 
chamber,  which,  having  suffered  less  than  the  others, 
might  serve  for  Viviana's  accommodation,  Catesby  re- 
turned to  the  party. 

A  more  melancholy  cavalcade  has  been  seldom  seen 
than  now  approached  the  gates  of  Ordsall  Hall.  First 
rode  Viviana,  in  an  agony  of  tears,  for  her  grief  had  by 


THE  ELIXIR.  157 

this  time  become  absolutely  uncontrollable,  with  Catesby 
on  foot,  leading  her  horse.  Next  came  Garnet,  greatly 
exhausted  and  depressed;  his  eyes  cast  dejectedly  on  the 
ground.  Then  came  the  litter,  containing  Guy  Favvkes; 
and,  lastly,  the  vehicle  with  the  body  of  Sir  William  Rad- 
cliffe.  On  arriving  at  the  gate,  Viviana  was  met  by  two 
female  servants,  whom  Martin  Heydocke  had  summoned 
from  their  hiding-places;  and,  as  soon  as  she  had  dis- 
mounted, she  was  supported,  for  she  was  scarcely  able  to 
walk  unaided,  to  the  chamber  destined  for  her  reception. 
This  done,  Catesby  proceeded,  with  some  anxiety,  to  super- 
intend the  removal  of  Fawkes,  who  was  perfectly  insensible. 
His  wound  had  bled  considerably  during  the  journey ; 
but  the  effusion  had  stopped  when  the  faintness  su- 
pervened. He  was  placed  in  one  of  the  lower  rooms  till 
a  sleeping-chamber  could  be  prepared  for  him.  The  last 
task  was  to  attend  to  the  remains  of  the  late  unfortunate 
possessor  of  the  mansion.  By  Catesbj^'s  directions  a  large 
oak  table,  once  occupying  the  great  hall,  was  removed  to 
the  Star  Chamber,  already  described  as  the  principal 
room  of  the  house ;  and,  being  securely  propped  up, — for, 
like  the  rest  of  the  furniture,  it  had  been  much  damaged 
by  the  spoilers,  though,  being  of  substantial  material,  it 
offered  greater  resistance  to  their  efforts, — the  shell  con- 
taining the  body  was  i^laced  upon  it. 

"  Better  he  should  lie  thus,"  exclaimed  Catesby,  when 
the  melancholy  office  was  completed,  "  than  live  to  wit- 
ness the  wreck  around  him.  Fatal  as  are  these  occur- 
rences," he  added,  pursuing  the  train  of  thought  suggested 
by  the  scene,  "they  are  yet  favorable  to  my  purpose. 
The  only  person  who  could  have  prevented  my  union 
with  Viviana  Radcliffe — her  father — lies  there.  Who 
would  have  thought  when  she  rejected  my  proposal  a  few 
days  ago,  in  this  verv  room,  how  fortune  would  conspire 
— and  by  what  dark  and  inscrutable  means — to  bring 
it  about !  Fallen  as  it  is,  this  house  is  not  yet  fallen  so 
low,  but  I  can  reinstate  it.  Its  young  mistress  mine, 
her  estates  mine, — for  she  is  now  inheritress  of  all  her 


168  GUY  FAWKES. 

father's  possessions, — the  utmost  reach  of  my  ambition 
were  gained,  and  all  but  one  object  of  my  life — for  which 
I  have  dared  so  much,  and  struggled  so  long — achieved !  " 

"  What  are  you  thinking  of,  my  son  ? "  asked  Garnet, 
who  had  watched  the  changing  expression  of  his  somber 
countenance, — "what  are  you  thinking  of?"  he  said, 
tapping  him  on  the  shoulder. 

"Of  that  which  is  never  absent  from  my  thoughts, 
father — the  great  design,"  replied  Catesby ;  "  and  of  the 
means  of  its  accomplishment,  which  this  sad  scene 
Siiggests." 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,  my  son,"  rejoined  the 
other. 

"  Does  not  Radcliffe's  blood  cry  aloud  for  vengeance  ?  " 
continued  Catesby  ;  "  and  think  you  his  child  will  be  deaf 
to  the  cry  ?  No,  father,  she  will  no  longer  tamely  submit 
to  wrongs  that  would  steel  the  gentlest  bosom,  and 
make  fi/m  the  feeblest  arm,  but  will  go  hand  and  heart 
with  us  in  our  project.  Viviana  must  be  mine,"  he  added, 
altering  his  tone,  "  ours,  I  should  say, — for,  if  she  is  mine, 
all  the  vast  possessions  that  have  accrued  to  her  by  her 
father's  death  shall  be  devoted  to  the  furtherance  of  the 
mighty  enterprise." 

"  I  cannot  think  she  will  refuse  you  now,  my  son,"  re- 
plied Garuet. 

"  She  shall  not  refuse  me,  father,"  rejoined  Catesby. 
"  The  time  is  gone  by  for  idle  wooing." 

"  I  will  be  no  party  to  forcible  measures,  my  son,"  re- 
turned Garnet,  gravely.  "  As  far  as  persuasion  goes,  I 
will  lend  you  every  assistance  in  my  power,  but  nothing 
further." 

"  Persuasion  is  all  that  will  be  required,  I  am  assured, 
father,"  answered  Catesby,  hastily,  perceiving  he  had 
committed  himself  too  far.  "  But  let  us  now  see  what 
can  be  done  for  Guy  Fawkes." 

"  Would  there  was  any  hope  of  his  life  ! "  exclaimed 
Garnet,  sighing  deeply.  "  In  losing  him,  we  lose  the 
bravest  of  our  band." 


THE  ELIXIR.  159 

"  We  do,"  returned  Catesby.  « And  yet  he  has  been 
subject  to  strange  fancies  of  late." 

"  He  has  been  appalled,  but  never  shaken,"  rejoined 
Garnet.  "  Of  all  our  number,  you  and  he  were  the  only 
two  upon  whom  I  could  rely.  When  he  is  gone,  you 
will  stand  alone." 

Catesby  made  no  reply,  but  led  the  way  to  the  chamber 
where  the  wounded  man  lay.  He  had  regained  his  con- 
sciousness, but  was  too  feeble  to  speak.  After  such  re- 
storatives as  were  at  hand  had  been  administered,  Catesby 
was  about  to  order  a  room  to  be  fitted  up  for  him,  when 
Viviana,  whose  anxiety  for  the  sufferer  had  overcome  her 
affliction,  made  her  appearance.  On  learning  Catesby's 
intentions,  she  insisted  upon  Fa wkes  being  removed  to  the 
room  allotted  to  her,  which  had  not  been  dismantled  like 
the  rest.  Seeing  it  was  in  vain  to  oppose  her,  Catesby 
assented,  and  the  sufferer  was  accordingly  carried  thither, 
and  placed  within  the  bed — a  large  antique  piece  of  fur- 
niture, hung  with  faded  damask  curtains.  The  room  was 
one  of  the  oldest  in  the  house,  and  at  the  further  end 
stood  a  small  closet,  approached  by  an  arched  doorway, 
and  fitted  up  with  a  hassock  and  crucifix,  which,  strange 
to  say,  had  escaped  the  ravages  of  the  searchers. 

Placed  within  the  couch,  Guy  Fa  wkes  began  to  ramble 
as  before  about  the  conspiracy ;  and  fearing  his  ravings 
might  awaken  the  suspicion  of  the  servants,  Catesby 
would  not  suffer  any  of  them  to  come  near  him,  but  ar- 
ranged with  Garnet  to  keep  watch  over  him  by  turns. 
By  degrees,  he  became  more  composed ;  and,  after  dozing 
a  little,  opened  his  eyes,  and,  looking  round,  inquired 
anxiously  for  his  sword.  At  first,  Catesby,  who  was 
alone  with  him  at  the  time,  hesitated  in  his  answer,  but 
seeing  he  appeared  greatly  disturbed,  he  showed  him  that 
his  hat,  gantlets,  and  rapier  were  lying  by  the  bedside. 

"I  am  content,"  replied  the  wounded  man,  smiling 
faintly  ;  "  that  sword  has  never  left  my  side,  waking  or 
sleeping,  for  twenty  years.  Let  me  grasp  it  once  more — 
perhaps  for  the  last  time." 


X60  GUY  FAWKES. 

Catesby  handed  him  the  weapon.  He  looked  at  it  for  a 
few  moments,  and  pressed  the  blade  to  his  lips. 

«  Farewell,  old  friend ! "  he  said,  a  tear  gathering  in  his 
eye,  "  farewell !  Catesby,"  he  added,  as  he  resigned  the 
weapon  to  him,  "  I  have  one  request  to  make.  Let  my 
sword  be  buried  with  me." 

"  It  shall,"  replied  Catesby,  in  a  voice  suffocated  by 
emotion,  for  the  request  touched  him  where  his  stern 
nature  was  most  accessible ;  "  I  will  place  it  by  you  my- 
self." 

"Thanks!"  exclaimed  Fawkes.  And  soon  after  this, 
he  again  fell  into  a  slumber. 

His  sleep  endured  for  some  hours ;  but  his  breathing 
grew  fainter  and  fainter,  so  that  at  the  last  it  was  scarcely 
perceptible.  A  striking  change  had  likewise  taken  place 
in  his  countenance,  and  these  signs  convinced  Catesby 
he  had  not  long  to  live.  While  he  was  watching  him 
with  great  anxiety,  Viviana  appeared  at  the  door  of  the 
chamber,  and  beckoned  him  out.  Noiselessly  obeying 
the  summons,  and  following  her  along  the  gallery,  he 
entered  a  room  where  he  found  Garnet. 

"  I  have  called  you  to  say  that  a  remedy  has  been  sug- 
gested to  me  by  Martin  Heydocke,"  observed  Viviana, 
«  by  which  I  trust  Guy  Fawkes  may  yet  be  saved." 

"  How  ?  "  asked  Catesby,  eagerly. 

"  Doctor  Dee,  the  warden  of  Manchester,  of  whom  you 
must  have  heard,"  she  continued,  "  is  said  to  possess  an 
elixir  of  such  virtue,  that  a  few  drops  of  it  will  snatch 
him  who  drinks  them  from  the  very  jaws  of  death." 

"  I  should  not  have  suspected  you  of  so  much  credulity, 
Yiviana,"  replied  Catesby ;  "  but  grant  that  Doctor  Dee 
possesses  this  marvelous  elixir — which  for  my  own  part 
I  doubt — how  are  we  to  obtain  it  ?  " 

"  If  you  will  repair  to  the  college,  and  see  hun,  I  doubt 
not  he  will  give  it  you,"  rejoined  Viviana. 

Catesby  smiled  incredulously. 

"  I  have  a  claim  upon  Doctor  Dee,"  she  persisted,  "  which 
I  have   never  enforced.     I  will  now  use  it.     Show  him 


THE  ELIXIR.  161 

this  token,"  she  continued,  detaching  a  small  ornament 
from  her  neck  ;  "  tell  him  you  bring  it  from  me,  and  I  am 
sure  he  will  comply  with  your  request." 

"Your  commands  shall  be  obeyed,  Viviana,"  replied 
Catesby  ;  "  but  I  frankly  confess  I  have  no  faith  in  the 
remedy." 

"  It  is  at  least  worth  the  trial,  my  son,"  observed  Garnet. 
"  Doctor  Dee  is  a  wonderful  person,  and  has  made  many 
discoveries  in  medicine,  as  in  other  sciences,  and  this 
marvelous  specific  may,  for  aught  we  know,  turn  out  no 
imposture." 

"  If  such  is  your  opinion,"  replied  Catesby,  "  I  will  set 
out  at  once.  If  it  is  to  be  tried  at  all,  it  must  be  without 
delay.     The  poor  sufferer  is  sinking  fast." 

"Go  then,"  cried  Viviana,  "and heaven  speed  your  mis- 
sion !  If  you  could  prevail  upon  Doctor  Dee  to  visit  the 
wounded  man  in  person,  I  should  prefer  it.  Besides,  I 
have  another  request  to  make  of  him — but  that  will  do 
hereafter.     Lose  not  a  moment  now." 

"  I  will  fly  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,"  replied  Catesby. 
"  Heaven  grant  that  when  I  return  the  object  of  our  so- 
licitude may  not  be  past  all  human  aid  !  " 

With  this,  he  hurried  to  an  outbuilding  in  which  the 
horses  were  placed,  and  choosing  the  strongest  and  fleet- 
est from  out  their  number,  mounted,  and  started  at  full 
gallop  in  the  direction  of  Manchester  ;  nor  did  he  relax 
his  speed  until  he  reached  the  gates  of  the  ancient  College. 
Hanging  the  bridle  of  his  smoking  steed  to  a  hook  in  the 
wall,  he  crossed  the  large  quadrangular  court ;  and  finding 
the  principal  entrance  open,  passed  the  lofty  room  now 
used  as  the  refectory,  ascended  the  flight  of  stone  stairs 
that  conducts  the  modern  visitor  to  the  library,  and  was 
traversing  the  long  galleries  communicating  with  it,  and 
now  crowded  with  the  learning  of  ages,  bequeathed  by 
the  benevolence  of  his  rival,  Humphrey  Chetham,  when 
he  encountered  a  grave  but  crafty-looking  personage,  in 
a  loose  brown  robe  and  Polish  cap,  who  angrily  demanded 
his  business. 


102  GtTY  FAWKES. 

Apologizing  for  the  intrusion,  Catesby  was  about  to 
explain,  when  a  small  oak  door  near  them  was  partly- 
opened,  and  an  authoritative  voice,  from  within,  ex- 
claimed, "  Do  not  hinder  him,  Kelley.  I  know  his  busi- 
ness, and  will  see  him." 

The  seer  made  no  further  remark,  but  pointing  to  the 
door,  Catesby  at  once  comprehended  that  it  was  Dee's 
voice  he  had  heard ;  and,  though  somewhat  startled  by 
the  intimation  that  he  was  expected,  entered  the  room. 
He  found  the  Doctor  surrounded  by  his  magical  apparatus, 
and  slowly  returning  to  the  chair  he  had  just  quitted. 

Without  looking  behind  him  to  see  whom  he  addressed, 
Dee  continued,  "I  have  just  consulted  my  show-stone, 
and  know  why  you  are  come  hither.  You  bring  a  token 
from  Viviana  Radcliffe." 

"I  do,"  replied  Catesby,  in  increased  astonishment. 
« It  is  here." 

"  It  is  needless  to  produce  it,"  replied  Dee,  still  keep- 
ing his  back  towards  him.  « I  have  seen  it  already. 
Kelley,"  he  continued,  "  I  am  about  to  set  out  for  Ord- 
sail  Hall  immediately.     You  must  accompany  nie." 

"  Amazement !  "  cried  Catesby.  "  Is  the  purpose  of  my 
visit  then  really  known  to  your  reverence  ?  " 

"  You  shall  hear,"  rejoined  Dee,  facing  him.  "  You  have 
a  friend  who  is  at  the  point  of  death,  and  having  heard 
that  I  possess  an  elixir  of  wonderful  eflQcacy,  are  come  in 
quest  of  it." 

"  True,"  replied  Catesby,  utterly  confounded. 

"The  name  of  that  friend,"  pursued  Dee,  regarding 
him  fixedly,  « is  Guy  Fawkes,— your  own,  Robert  Cates- 
by." 

"  I  need  no  more  to  convince  me,  reverend  sir,"  re- 
joined Catesby,  trembling,  in  spite  of  himself,  "  that  all  I 
have  heard  of  your  wonderful  powers  falls  far  short  of 
the  truth." 

"  You  are  but  just  in  time,"  replied  Dee,  bowing  gravely, 
in  acknowledgment  of  the  compliment.  "  Another  hour, 
and  it  would  have  been  too  late." 


THE  ELIXIR.  163 

*'  Then  you  think  he  will  live !  "  cried  Catesby,  eagerly. 

"  I  am  sure  of  it,"  replied  Dee,  "  provided " 

"  Provided  what  ?  "  interrupted  Catesby.  "  Is  there 
aught  I  can  do  to  ensure  his  recovery  ?  " 

"  No,"  replied  Dee,  sternly.  "  I  am  debating  within 
myself  whether  it  is  Avorth  while  reviving  him  for  a  more 
dreadful  fate." 

"  What  mean  you,  reverend  sir  ? "  asked  Catesby,  a 
shade  passing  over  his  countenance. 

"  You  understand  my  meaning,  and  therefore  need  no 
explanation,"  replied  Dee.  "  Return  to  Ordsall  Hall,  and 
tell  Miss  Radcliffe  I  will  be  there  in  an  hour.  Bid  her 
have  no  further  fear.  If  the  wounded  man  breathes  when 
I  arrive,  I  will  undertake  to  cure  him.  Add  further,  that 
I  know  the  other  request  she  desires  to  make  of  me,  and 
that  it  is  granted  before  it  is  asked.  Farewell,  sir,  for  a 
short  time." 

On  reachmg  the  court,  Catesby  expanded  his  chest, 
shook  his  limbs,  and  exclaimed,  "  At  length,  I  breathe 
freely.  The  atmosphere  of  that  infernal  chamber  smelt 
so  horribly  of  sulphur  that  it  almost  stifled  me.  Well,  if 
Doctor  Dee  has  not  dealings  with  the  devil,  man  never 
had!  However,  if  he  cures  Guy  Fawkes,  I  care  not 
whence  the  medicine  comes  from." 

As  he  descended  Smithy  Bank,  and  was  about  to  cross 
the  old  bridge  over  the  Irwell,  he  perceived  a  man  riding 
before  him,  who  seemed  anxious  to  avoid  him.  Struck 
by  this  person's  manner,  he  urged  his  horse  into  a  quicker 
pace,  and  being  better  mounted  of  the  two,  soon  overtook 
him,  when  to  his  surprise  he  found  it  was  Martin  Hey- 
docke. 

"What  are  you  doing  here,  sirrah?"  he  demanded. 

*'I  have  been  sent  by  Mistress  Viviana  with  a  message 
to  Mr.  Humphrey  Chetham,"  replied  the  young  man,  in 
great  confusion. 

"  Indeed  !  "  exclaimed  Catesby,  angrily.  "  And  how 
dared  you  convey  a  message  to  him,  without  consulting 
me  on  the  subject?" 


164  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  I  was  not  aware  you  were  my  master,"  replied  Martin, 
sulkily.  "  If  I  owe  obedience  to  any  one,  it  is  to  Mr. 
Chethara,  whose  servant  I  am.  But  if  Mistress  Viviana 
gives  me  a  message  to  deliver,  I  will  execute  her  com- 
mands, whoever  may  be  pleased  or  displeased." 

"  I  did  but  jest,  thou  saucy  knave,"  returned  Catesby, 
who  did  not  desire  to  offend  hira.  "  Here  is  a  piece  of 
money  for  thee.  Now,  if  it  be  no  secret,  what  was  Miss 
Radcliffe's  message  to  thy  master  ?  " 

"  I  know  not  what  her  letter  contained,"  replied  Martin ; 
«  but  his  answer  was,  that  he  would  come  to  the  hall  at 
midnight." 

"  It  is  well  I  ascertained  this,"  thought  Catesby,  and  he 
added  aloud,  "  I  understood  your  master  had  been  arrested 
and  imprisoned." 

"  So  he  was,"  replied  Martin  ;  "  but  he  had  interest 
enough  with  the  Commissioners  to  Dvocure  his  liberation." 

"  Enough,"  replied  Catesby ;  and  striking  spurs  into  his 
charger,  he  dashed  off. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour's  hard  riding  brought  him  to  the 
hall,  and,  on  arriving  there,  he  proceeded  at  once  to  the 
wounded  man's  chamber,  where  he  found  Viviana  and 
Garnet. 

"Have  you  succeeded  in  your  errand?"  cried  the 
former,  eagerly.  "  Will  Doctor  Dee  come,  or  has  he  sent 
the  elixir  ?  " 

"  He  will  bring  it  himself,"  replied  Catesby. 

Viviana  uttered  an  exclamation  of  joy,  and  the  sound 
appeared  to  reach  the  ears  of  the  sufferer,  for  he  stirred, 
and  groaned  faintly. 

"  Doctor  Dee  desired  me  to  tell  you,"  continued  Cates- 
by, drawing  Viviana  aside,  and  speaking  in  a  low  tone, 
"  that  your  other  request  was  granted." 

Viviana  looked  surprised,  and  as  if  she  did  not  clearly 
understand  him. 

"Might  he  not  refer  to  Humphrey  Chetham?"  re- 
marked Catesby,  somewhat  maliciously. 

«  Ah  I  you  have  learnt  from  Martin  Heydocke  that  I 


THE  ELlxm.  165 

have  written  to  him,"  returned  Viviana,  blushing  deeply. 
"  What  I  was  about  to  ask  of  Doctor  Dee  had  no  refer- 
ence to  Humphrey  Chetham.  It  was  to  request  permis- 
sion to  privately  inter  my  father's  remains  in  our  family 
vault  in  the  Collegiate  Church.  But  how  did  he  know  I 
had  any  request  to  make  ?  " 

"  That  passes  my  comprehension,"  replied  Catesby, 
"  unless  he  obtained  his  mformation  from  his  familiar 
spirits." 

Shortly  after  this,  Doctor  Dee  and  Kelley  arrived  at  the 
hall.  Catesby  met  them  at  the  gate,  and  conducted  thcDi 
to  the  wounded  man's  chamber.  Coldly  saluting  Garnet, 
whom  he  eyed  with  suspicion,  and  bowing  respectfully  to 
Viviana,  the  Doctor  slowly  advanced  to  the  bedside.  He 
gazed  for  a  short  time  at  the  wounded  man,  and  folded 
his  arms  thoughtfully  upon  his  breast.  The  eyes  of  the 
sufferer  were  closed,  and  his  lips  slightly  apart,  but  no 
breath  seemed  to  issue  from  them.  His  bronzed  com- 
plexion had  assumed  the  ghastly  hue  of  death,  and  his 
strongly-marked  features  had  become  fixed  and  rigid. 
His  black  hair,  stiffened  and  caked  with  blood,  escaped 
from  the  bandages  around  his  head,  and  hung  in  elf  locks 
on  the  pillow.  It  was  a  piteous  spectacle ;  and  Doctor 
Dee  appeared  much  moved  by  it. 

"  The  worst  is  over,"  he  muttered :  "  why  recall  the 
spirit  to  its  wretched  tenement?" 

"  If  you  can  save  him,  reverend  sir,  do  not  hesitate," 
implored  Viviana. 

"  I   am  come   hither  for  that  purpose,"  replied  Dee ; 
"  but  I  must  have  no  other  witness  to  the  experiment  n^ 
except  yourself,  and  my  attendant  Kelley." 

"  I  do  not  desire  to  be  present,  reverend  sir,"  replied 
Viviana ;  "  but  I  will  retire  into  that  closet,  and  pray  that 
your  remedy  may  prevail." 

"  My  prayers  for  the  same  end  shall  be  offered  in  the 
adjoining  room,"  observed  Garnet ;  and  taking  Catesby's 
arm,  who  seemed  spellbound  by  curiosity,  he  dragged 
him  away. 


IQQ  GUY  FAWKES. 

The  door  closed,  and  Viviana  withdrew  into  tlie  closet, 
where  she  knelt  down  before  the  crucifix.  Doctor  Dee 
seated  himself  on  the  bedside  ;  and  taking  a  gourd-shaped 
bottle,  filled  with  a  clear  sparkling  liquid,  from  beneath 
his  robe,  he  raised  it  to  his  eyes  with  his  left  hand,  while 
he  placed  his  right  on  the  wrist  of  the  wounded  man.  In 
this  attitude  he  continued  for  a  few  seconds,  while  Kelley, 
with  his  arms  folded,  likewise  kept  his  gaze  fixed  on  the 
phial.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  Dee,  who  had  ap- 
parently counted  the  pulsations  of  the  sufferer,  took  out 
the  glass  stopper  from  the  bottle,  the  contents  of  which 
diffused  a  pungent  odor  around ;  and  wetting  a  small 
piece  of  linen  with  it,  applied  it  to  his  temples.  He  then 
desired  Kelley  to  raise  his  head,  and  poured  a  few  drops 
down  his  throat.  This  done,  he  waited  a  few  minutes, 
and  repeated  the  application. 

"  Look  ! "  he  cried  to  Kelley.  "  The  elixir  already  be- 
gins to  operate.  His  chest  heaves.  His  limbs  shiver. 
That  flush  upon  the  cheek,  and  that  dampness  upon  the 
brow,  denote  that  the  animal  heat  is  restored.  A  third 
draught  will  accomplish  the  cure." 

"I  can  already  feel  his  heart  palpitate,"  observed 
Kelley,  placing  his  hand  on  the  patient's  breast. 

"Heaven  be  praised!"  ejaculated  Viviana,  who  had 
suspended  her  devotions  to  listen. 

«  Hold  him  tightly,"  cried  Dee  to  his  assistant,  "  while 
I  administer  the  last  draught.  He  may  injure  himself 
by  his  struggles." 

Kelley  obeyed,  and  twined  his  arms  tightly  round  the 
wounded  man.  And  fortunate  it  was  that  the  precaution 
was  taken,  for  the  elixir  was  no  sooner  poured  down  his 
throat  than  his  chest  began  to  labor  violently,  his  eyes 
opened,  and,  raising  himself  bolt-upright,  he  struggled 
violently  to  break  from  the  hold  imposed  upon  him. 
This  he  would  have  effected,  if  Dee  had  not  likewise  lent 
his  aid  to  prevent  him. 

"This  is,  indeed,  a  wonderful  sight!"  cried  Viviana, 
who  had  (quitted  the  closet,  and  now  gazed  on,  in  awe 


THE  ELIXIR.  1(57 

and  astonishment.  "  I  can  never  be  sufficiently  thankful 
to  you,  reverend  sir." 

"  Give  thanlcs  to  Ilim  to  whom  alone  they  are  due,"  re- 
plied Dee.  "  Summon  your  friends.  They  may  now 
resume  their  posts.     My  task  is  accomplished." 

Catesby  and  Garnet  being  called  into  the  room,  could 
scarcely  credit  their  senses  when  they  beheld  Guy  Fawkes, 
who  by  this  time  had  ceased  struggling,  reclining  on 
Kelley's  shoulder,  and,  except  a  certain  wildness  in  the 
eye  and  cadaverousness  of  hue,  looking  as  he  was  wont 
to  do. 


168  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  COLLEGIATE  CHUECH  AT  MANCHESTER. 

Bidding  Kelley  remain  with  Guy  Fawkes,  Doctor  Dee 
signified  to  Viviana  that  he  had  a  few  words  to  say  to 
her  in  private  before  his  departure,  and  leading  the  way 
to  an  adjoining  room,  informed  her  that  he  was  aware  of 
her  desire  to  have  her  father's  remains  interred  in  tlie 
Collegiate  Church,  and  that,  so  far  from  opposing  her  in- 
clinations, he  would  willingly  accede  to  them,  only  rec- 
ommending as  a  measure  of  prudence  that  the  ceremonial 
should  be  performed  at  night,  and  with  as  much  secrecy 
as  possible.  Viviana  thanked  him  in  a  voice  of  much 
emotion  for  his  kindness,  and  entirely  acquiesced  in  his 
suggestion  of  caution.  At  the  same  time,  she  could  not 
help  expressing  her  surprise  that  her  thoughts  should  be 
known  to  him.  "  Though,  indeed,"  she  added,  "  after  the 
wonderful  exhibition  I  have  just  witnessed  of  your  power, 
I  can  scarcely  suppose  that  any  limits  are  to  be  placed 
to  it." 

"  Few  things  are  hidden  from  me,"  replied  Dee,  with  a 
gratified  smile ;  "  even  the  lighter  matters  of  the  heart,  in 
which  I  might  be  supposed  to  take  little  interest,  do  not 
altogether  elude  my  observation.  In  reference  to  this, 
you  will  not,  I  am  sure,  be  offended  with  me,  Viviana,  if 
I  tell  you  I  have  noticed  with  some  concern  the  attach- 
ment that  has  arisen  between  you  and  Humphrey 
Chetham." 

Viviana  uttered  an  exclamation  of  surprise,  and  a  deep 
blush  suffused  her  pallid  cheeks. 

"  I  am  assuming  the  privilege  of  an  old  man  with  you, 
Viviana,"  continued  Dee,  in  a  graver  tone,  "and  I  may 
add,  of  an  old  friend, — for  your  lamented  mother  was  one 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCkESTER.      169 

of  my  dearest  and  best  friends,  as  you  perchance  called 
to  mind,  when  you  sent  me  to-day,  by  Mr.  Catesby,  the 
token  I  gave  her  years  ago.  You  have  done  unwisely  in 
inviting  Humphrey  Chetham  to  come  hither  to-night." 

"  How  so  ?  "  she  faltered. 

"  Because,  if  he  keeps  his  appointment,  fatal  conse- 
quences may  ensue,"  answered  Dee.  "  Your  message  has 
reached  the  ears  of  one  from  whom, — most  of  all, — you 
should  have  concealed  it." 

"  Mr.  Catesby  has  heard  of  it,  I  know,"  replied  Vivian  a. 
"  But  you  do  not  apprehend  any  danger  from  him  ?  " 

"  He  is  Chetham's  mortal  foe,"  rejoined  Dee,  "  and  will 
slay  him,  if  he  finds  an  opportunity." 

"You  alarm  me,"  she  cried.  "I  will  speak  to  Mr. 
Catesby  on  the  subject,  and  entreat  him,  as  he  values  my 
regard,  to  offer  no  molestation  to  his  fancied  rival." 

"  Fancied  rival  1 "  echoed  Dee,  raising  his  brows  con- 
temptuously. "  Do  you  seek  to  persuade  me  that  you  do 
not  love  Humphrey  Chetham  ?  " 

"  Assuredly  not,"  replied  Viviana.  "  I  freely  acknowl- 
edge my  attachment  to  him.  It  is  as  strong  as  my  aver- 
sion to  Mr  Catesby.  But  the  latter  is  aware  that  the 
suit  of  his  rival  is  as  hopeless  as  his  own." 

"  Explain  yourself,  I  pray  you  ?  "  said  Dee. 

"  My  destiny  is  the  cloister, — and  this  he  well  knows," 
she  rejoined.  "As  soon  as  my  worldly  affairs  can  be 
arranged,  I  shall  retire  to  the  English  nunnery  at 
Brussels,  where  I  shall  vow  myself  to  Heaven." 

"  Such  is  your  present  intention,"  replied  Dee.  "  But 
you  will  never  quit  your  own  country." 

"  What  shall  hinder  me  ?  "  asked  Viviana,  uneasily. 

"  Many  things,"  returned  Dee.  "  Amongst  others,  this 
meeting  with  your  lover." 

"  Call  him  not  by  that  name,  I  beseech  you,  reverend 
sir,"  she  rejoined.  "  Humphrey  Chetham  will  never  be 
other  to  me  than  a  friend." 

"  It  may  be,"  answered  Dee.  "  But  your  destiny  is  not 
the  cloister." 


170  GUY  FAWKES. 

«  For  what  am  I  reserved,  then  ?  "  demanded  Viviana, 
trembling. 

*'  All  I  dare  tell  you,"  he  returned,  "  all  it  is  needful 
for  you  to  know,  is,  that  your  future  career  is  mixed  up 
with  that  of  Guy  Fawkes.  But  do  not  concern  j^ourself 
about  what  is  to  come.  The  present  is  sufficient  to  claim 
your  attention." 

"  True,"  replied  Viviana  ;  "  and  my  first  object  shall  be 
to  despatch  a  messenger  to  Humphrey  Chetham  to  pre- 
vent him  from  coming  hither." 

"  Trouble  yourself  no  further  on  that  score,"  returned 
Dee.  "I  will  convey  the  message  to  him.  As  regards 
the  funeral,  it  must  take  place  without  delay.  I  will  be 
at  the  south  porch  of  the  church  with  the  keys  at  mid- 
night, and  Robert  Burnell,  the  sexton,  and  another  assist- 
ant on  whom  I  can  depend,  shall  be  in  attendance.  Though 
it  is  contrary  to  my  religious  opinions  and  feelings  to 
allow  a  Romish  priest  to  perform  the  service,  I  will  not 
interfere  with  Father  Garnet.  I  owe  your  mother  a  deep 
debt  of  gratitude,  and  will  pay  it  to  her  husband  and  her 
child." 

"  Thanks  ! — in  her  name,  thanks !  "  cried  Viviana,  in  a 
voice  suffocated  by  emotion. 

"  And  now,"  continued  Dee,  "  I  would  ask  you  one 
further  question.  My  art  has  made  me  acquainted  that 
a  plot  is  hatching  against  the  King  and  his  Government 
by  certain  of  the  Catholic  party.  Are  you  favorable  to 
the  design  ?  " 

"  I  am  not,"  replied  Viviana,  firmly.  "  Nor  can  you 
regard  it  with  more  horror  than  myself." 

"  I  was  sure  of  it,"  returned  Dee.  "  Nevertheless,  I  am 
glad  to  have  my  supposition  confirmed  from  your  own 
mouth." 

With  this,  he  moved  towards  the  door,  but  Viviana 
arrested  his  departure. 

"  Stay,  reverend  sir,"  she  cried  with  a  look  of  great  un- 
easiness ;  "  if  you  are  in  possession  of  this  dread  secret, 
the  lives  of  my  companions  are  in  your  power.     You  will 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCHESTER.      171 

not  betray  them.  Or,  if  you  deem  it  your  duty  to  reveal 
the  plot  to  those  endangered  by  it,  you  will  give  its  con- 
trivers timely  warning." 

"  Fear  nothing,"  rejoined  Dee.  "  I  cannot,  were  I  so 
disposed,  interfere  with  the  fixed  purposes  of  fate.  The 
things  revealed  by  my  familiar  spirits  never  pass  my  lips. 
They  are  more  sacred  than  the  disclosures  made  to  a  priest 
of  your  faith  at  the  confessional.  The  bloody  enterprise 
on  which  these  zealots  are  bent  will  fail.  I  have  warned 
Fawkes ;  but  my  warning,  though  conveyed  by  the  lips  of 
the  dead,  and  by  other  means  equally  terrible,  was  un- 
availing. I  would  warn  Catesby  and  Garnet,  but  they 
would  heed  me  not.  Viviana  Radcliff e,"  he  continued,  in 
a  solemn  voice,  "  you  questioned  me  just  now  about  the 
future.  Have  you  courage  to  make  the  same  demand 
from  your  dead  father  ?  If  so,  I  will  compel  his  corpse  to 
answer  you." 

"  Oh  !  no — no,"  cried  Viviana,  horror-stricken ;  "  not 
for  worlds  would  I  commit  so  impious  an  act.  Gladly  as 
I  would  know  what  fate  has  in  store  for  me,  nothing 
should  induce  me  to  purchase  the  knowledge  at  so  dread- 
ful a  iH'ice." 

"  Farewell,  then,"  rejoined  Dee.  "  At  midnight,  at  the 
south  porch  of  the  Collegiate  Church,  I  shall  expect  you." 

So  saying,  he  took  his  departure  ;  and,  on  entering  the 
gallery,  he  perceived  Catesby  hastily  retreating. 

"  Aha  !  "  he  muttered.  "  We  have  had  a  listener  here. 
Well,  no  matter.  What  he  has  heard  may  prove  service- 
able to  him," 

He  then  returned  to  the  chamber  occupied  by  Guy 
Fawkes,  and  finding  he  had  dropped  into  a  deep  and 
tranquil  sleep,  motioned  Kelley,  who  was  standing  by  the 
bedside  watching  his  slumbers  with  folded  arms,  to  follow 
him,  and  bowing  gravely  to  Garnet  quitted  the  hall. 

As  he  crossed  the  court,  on  his  way  to  the  drawbridge, 
Catesby  suddenly  threw  himself  in  his  path,  and  laying 
his  hand  upon  his  sword,  cried  in  a  menacing  voice, — 
*'  Doctor  Dee,  neither  you  nor  your  companion  shall  quit 


1^2  GUY  FAWKES. 

the  hall  till  you  have  solemnly  sworn  not  to  divnlge  aught 
pertaining  to  the  plot,  of  which  you  have  so  mysteriously 
obtained  information." 

«Is  this  my  recompense  for  rescuing  your  comrade 
from  the  jaws  of  death,  sir  ?  "  replied  Dee,  sternly. 

«  The  necessity  of  the  case  must  plead  its  excuse,"  re- 
joined Catesby.  "  My  own  safety,  and  the  safety  of  those 
leagued  with  me,  require  that  I  should  be  peremptory  in 
my  demand.  Did  I  not  owe  you  a  large  debt  of  gratitude 
for  your  resuscitation  of  Guy  Fawkes,  I  would  have  in- 
sured your  secrecy  with  your  life.  As  it  is,  I  will  be  con- 
tent with  your  oath." 

"  Fool !  "  exclaimed  Dee,  «  stand  aside  or  I  ^vill  compel 
you  to  do  so." 

« Think  not  to  terrify  me  by  idle  threats,"  returned 
Catesby.  "  I  willingly  acknowledge  your  superior  skill, 
—as,  indeed,  I  have  good  reason  to  do,— in  the  science  of 
medicine ;  but  I  have  no  faith  in  your  magical  tricks.  A 
little  reflection  has  shown  me  how  the  knowledge  I  at 
first  thought  so  wonderful  was  acquired.  You  obtained 
it  by  means  of  Martin  Heydocke,  who,  mounted  on  a 
swift  steed,  reached  the  College  before  me.  He  told  you 
of  the  object  of  my  visit,— of  Viviana's  wish  to  have  her 
father  interred  in  the  Collegiate  Church, — of  her  message 
to  Humphrey  Chetham.  You  were,  therefore,  fully  pre- 
pared for  my  arrival,  and  at  first,  I  must  confess,  com- 
pletely imposed  upon  me.  Nay,  had  I  not  overheard 
your  conversation  just  now  with  Viviana,  I  might  have 
remained  your  dupe  still.  But  your  allusion  to  Chetham's 
visit  awakened  my  suspicions,  and,  on  reconsidering  the 
matter,  the  whole  trick  flashed  upon  me." 

"  What  more  ?  "  demanded  Dee,  his  brow  lowering,  and 
his  eyes  sparkling  with  rage. 

"  Thus  much,"  returned  Catesby.  "  I  have  your  secret, 
and  you  have  mine.  And  though  the  latter  is  the  more 
important,  inasmuch  as  several  lives  hang  upon  it,  whereas 
a  conjurer's  worthless  reputation  is  alone  dependent  on 
the  other,  yet  both  must  be  kept.     Swear,  then,  not  to 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCHESTER.      173 

reveal  the  plot,  and  in  my  turn  I  will  take  any  oath  you 
choose  to  dictate  not  to  disclose  the  jugglery  I  have  de- 
tected." 

"  I  will  make  no  terms  with  you,"  returned  Dee ;  "  and 
if  I  do  not  reveal  your  damnable  plot,  it  is  not  from  con- 
sideration of  you  or  your  associates,  but  because  the  hour 
for  its  disclosure  is  not  yet  arrived.  When  full  proof  of 
your  guilt  can  be  obtained,  then  rest  assured  it  will  be 
made  known, — though  not  by  me.  Not  one  of  your 
number  shall  escape — not  one." 

Catesby  again  laid  his  hand  upon  his  sword,  and  seemed 
from  his  looks  to  be  meditating  the  destruction  of  the 
Doctor  and  his  assistant.  But  they  appeared  wholly  un- 
concerned at  his  glances. 

"  What  you  have  said  concerning  Martin  Heydocke  is 
false — as  false  as  your  own  foul  and  bloody  scheme," 
pursued  Dee.  "  I  have  neither  seen,  nor  spoken  with 
him." 

"  But  your  assistant,  Edward  Kelley,  has,"  retorted 
Catesby,  "  and  that  amounts  to  the  same  thing." 

"  For  the  third  and  last  time  I  command  you  to  stand 
aside,"  cried  Dee,  in  a  tone  of  concentrated  anger. 

Catesby  laughed  aloud. 

"  What  if  I  refuse  ?  "  he  said,  in  a  jeering  voice. 

Doctor  Dee  made  no  answer  ;  but,  suddenly  drawing  a 
small  phial  from  beneath  his  robe,  cast  its  contents  in  his 
opponent's  face.  Blinded  by  the  spirit,  Catesby  raised 
his  hand  to  his  eyes,  and  while  in  this  condition  a  thick 
cloth  was  thrown  over  his  head  from  behind,  and,  despite 
his  resistance,  he  was  borne  off,  and  bound  with  a  strong 
cord  to  an  adjoining  tree. 

Half  an  hour  elapsed,  during  which  he  exhausted  his 
fury  in  vain  outcries  for  assistance,  and  execrations  and 
menaces  against  Dee  and  his  companion.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time,  hearing  steps  approaching,  he  called 
loudly  to  be  released,  and  was  answered  by  the  voice  of 
Martin  Heydocke. 

"  What !  is  it  your  worship  I  behold  ?  "  cried  Martin, 


174  GUY  FAWKES. 

in  a  tone  of  affected  commiseration.  "  Mercy  on  us  ! 
what  has  happened  ?  Have  the  rascally  searchers  been 
here  again  ?  " 

"  Hold  your  peace,  knave,  and  unbind  me,"  rejoined 
Catesby,  angrily.  "  I  shrewdly  suspect,"  he  added,  as  his 
commands  were  obeyed,  and  the  cord  twined  around  his 
arms  unfastened,  and  the  cloth  removed, — "  I  shrewdly 
suspect,"  he  said,  fixing  a  stern  glance  upon  Martin, 
which  effectually  banished  the  smile  from  his  demure 
countenance,  "  that  you  have  had  some  share  in  this  busi- 
ness." 

"What  I,  your  worship?"  exclaimed  Martin.  "Not 
the  slightest,  I  assure  you.  It  was  by  mere  chance  I 
came  this  way,  and,  perceiving  some  one  tied  to  a  tree, 
was  about  to  take  to  my  heels,  when,  fancying  I  recog- 
nized your  worship's  well-formed  legs,  I  ventured  for- 
ward." 

"You  shall  become  more  intimately  acquainted  with 
my  worship's  boots,  rascal,  if  I  find  my  suspicions  cor- 
rect," rejoined  Catesby.  "  Have  you  the  effrontery  to 
tell  me  you  have  never  seen  this  rope  and  this  cloth  be- 
fore ?  " 

"  Certes,  I  have,  your  worship,"  replied  Martin.  "  May 
the  first  hang  me,  and  the  last  serve  as  my  winding- 
sheet,  if  I  speak  not  the  truth  !  Ah,  now  I  look  again," 
he  added,  pretending  to  examine  them,  "  it  must  be  a 
horse-cloth  and  halter  from  the  stable.  Peradventure,  I 
havte  seen  them." 

"  That  I  will  be  sworn  you  have,  and  used  them  too," 
rejoined  Catesby.  "  I  am  half  inclined  to  tie  you  to  the 
tree  in  my  place.  But  where  is  your  employer  ? — where 
is  Doctor  Dee  ?  " 

"  Doctor  Dee  is  not  my  employer,"  answered  Martin, 
"neither  do  I  serve  him.  Mr.  Humphrey  Chetham,  as  I 
have  already  told  your  worship,  is  my  master.  As  to  the 
Doctor,  he  left  the  hall  some  time  since.  Father  Garnet 
thought  you  had  accompanied  him  on  tlie  road.  I  have 
seen  nothing  of  him.     Of  a  truth  I  have  not," 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCHESTER.      175 

Catesby  reflected  a  moment,  and  then  strode  towards 
the  hall,  while  Martin,  with  a  secret  smile,  picked  up  the 
halter  and  cloth,  and  withdrew  to  the  stable. 

Repairing  to  the  chamber  of  the  wounded  man,  Catesby 
found  Garnet  seated  by  his  couch,  and  related  what  had 
occurred.  The  Jesuit  listened  with  profound  attention 
to  the  recital,  and  on  its  conclusion  observed, — 

"  I  am  sorry  you  have  offended  Doctor  Dee,  my  son. 
He  might  have  proved  a  good  friend.  As  it  is,  you  have 
made  him  a  dangerous  enemy." 

"  He  was  not  to  be  trusted,  father,"  returned  Catesby. 
"  But  if  you  have  any  fears  of  him,  or  Kelley,  I  will 
speedily  set  them  at  rest." 

"  No  violence,  my  son,"  rejoined  Garnet.  "  You  will 
only  increase  the  mischief  you  have  already  occasioned. 
I  do  not  think  Dee  will  betray  us.  But  additional  cir- 
cumspection will  be  requisite.  Tarry  here  while  I  confer 
with  Viviana  on  this  subject.  She  has  apparently  some 
secret  influence  with  the  Doctor,  and  may  be  prevailed 
upon  to  exert  it  in  our  behalf." 

It  was  long  before  Garnet  returned.  When  he  reap- 
peared, his  looks  convinced  Catesby  that  the  interview 
had  not  proved  satisfactory. 

"  Your  imprudence  has  placed  us  in  a  perilous  posi- 
tion, my  son,"  he  observed,  "  Viviana  refuses  to  speak 
to  Doctor  Dee  on  the  subject,  and  strongly  reprobates 
your  conduct." 

Catesby's  brow  lowered. 

"  There  is  but  one  course  to  pursue,"  he  muttered, 
rising  ;  "  our  lives  or  his  must  be  sacrificed.  I  will  act 
at  once." 

"Hold!"  exclaimed  Garnet  authoritatively.  "Wait 
till  to-morrow ;  and,  if  aught  occurs  in  the  interim  to 
confirm  your  suspicions,  do  as  you  think  proper.  I  will 
not  oppose  you." 

"  If  I  forbear  so  long,"  returned  Catesby.  "  It  will  not 
be  safe  to  remain  here." 

"I  will  risk  it,"  said    Garnet,   "and    I   counsel  you 


176  GUY  FAWKES. 

to  do  the  same.     You   will   not  leave  Yiviana  at  this 
strait." 

"  I  have  no  such  thoughts,"  replied  Catesby.  "  If  I  go, 
she  goes  too." 

"  Then  it  will  be  in  vain,  I  am  sure,  to  endeavor  to  in- 
duce her  to  accompany  you  till  her  father  is  interred," 
observed  Garnet. 

"  True,"  replied  Catesby  ;  "  I  had  forgotten  that.  We 
shall  meet  the  hoary  juggler  at  the  church,  and  an  op- 
portunity may  occur  for  executing  my  purpose  there. 
Unless  he  will  swear  at  the  altar  not  to  betray  us,  he 
shall  die  by  my  hand." 

"  An  oath  in  such  a  case  would  be  no  security,  my 
son,"  returned  Garnet ;  "  and  his  slaughter  and  that  of 
his  companion  would  be  equally  inefficacious,  and  greatly 
prejudicial  to  our  cause.  If  he  means  to  betray  us,  he 
has  done  so  already.  But  I  have  little  apprehension.  I  do 
not  think  him  well  affected  towards  the  government,  and  I 
cannot  but  think,  if  you  had  not  thus  grossly  insulted  him, 
he  would  have  favored  rather  than  opposed  our  design. 
If  he  was  aware  of  the  plot,  and  adverse  to  it,  what  need 
was  there  to  exert  his  skill  in  behalf  of  our  dying  friend, 
who,  but  for  him,  would  have  been,  ere  this,  a  lump  of 
lifeless  clay  ?  No,  no,  my  son.  You  are  far  too  hasty  in 
your  judgment.  Nor  am  I  less  surprised  at  your  in- 
justice. Overlooking  the  great  benefit  conferred  upon  us, 
because  some  trifling  scheme  has  been  thwarted,  you 
would  requite  our  benefactor  by  cutting  his  throat." 

"Your  rebuke  is  just,  father,"  returned  Catesby.  "I 
have  acted  heedlessly.  But  I  will  endeavor  to  repair 
my  error." 

"  Enough,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet.  "  It  will  be  advis- 
able to  go  well  armed  to  the  church  to-night,  for  fear 
of  a  surprise.  But  I  shall  not  absent  myself  on  that 
account." 

"Nor  I,"  rejoined  Catesby. 

The  conversation  was  then  carried  on,  on  other  topics, 
when  they  were  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  Yiviana, 


*HE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCHESTER.      17f 

who  came  to  consult  them  about  the  funeral.  It  was 
arranged — since  better  could  not  be  found — that  the 
vehicle  used  to  bring  thither  the  body  of  the  unfortunate 
knight  should  transport  it  to  its  last  home.  No  persua- 
sions of  Garnet  could  induce  Viviana  to  relinquish  the 
idea  of  attending  the  ceremony ;  and  Catesby,  though  he 
affected  the  contrary,  secretly  rejoiced  at  her  determina- 
tion. 

Night  came,  and  all  was  in  readiness.  Viviana  to  the 
last  indulged  a  hope  that  Humphrey  Chetham  would  ar- 
rive in  time  to  attend  the  funeral  with  her ;  but,  as  he 
did  not  appear,  she  concluded  he  had  received  Doctor 
Dee's  warning.  Martin  Heydocke  was  left  in  charge  of 
Guy  Fawkes,  who  still  continued  to  slumber  deeply,  and, 
when  within  half  an  hour  of  the  appointed  time,  the  train 
set  out. 

They  were  all  well  mounted,  and  proceeded  at  a  slow 
pace  along  the  lane  skirting  the  west  bank  of  the  Irwell. 
The  night  was  profoundly  dark ;  and,  as  it  was  not 
deemed  prudent  to  carry  torches,  some  care  was  requisite 
to  keep  in  the  right  road.  Catesby  rode  first,  and  was 
followed  by  Garnet  and  Viviana,  after  whom  came  the 
little  vehicle  containing  the  body.  The  rear  was  brought 
up  by  three  of  the  servants  sent  by  Sir  Everard  Digby ; 
a  fourth  acting  as  driver  of  the  sorry  substitute  for  a 
hearse.  Not  a  word  was  uttered  by  any  of  the  party. 
In  this  stealthy  manner  was  the  once-powerful  and 
wealthy  Sir  William  Radcliffe,  the  owner  of  the  whole 
district  through  which  they  were  passing,  conveyed  to  the 
burial-place  of  his  ancestors ! 

In  shorter  time  than  they  had  allowed  themselves  for 
the  journey,  the  melancholy  cavalcade  reached  Salford 
Bridge,  and  crossing  it  at  a  quick  pace,  as  had  been  pre- 
viously arranged  by  Catesby,  arrived  without  molestation 
or  notice  (for  no  one  was  abroad  in  the  town  at  that  hour) 
at  the  southern  gate  of  the  Collegiate  Church,  where,  it 
may  be  remembered,  Guy  Fawkes  had  witnessed  the 
execution  of  the  two  seminary  priests,  and  on  the  spikes 


178  GUY  FAWKES. 

of  which  their  lieads  and  dismembered  bodies  were  now 
fixed.  An  old  man  here  presented  himself,  and,  unlock- 
ing the  gate,  informed  them  he  was  Robert  Burnell,  the 
sexton.  The  shell  was  then  taken  out,  and  borne  on  the 
shoulders  of  the  servants  towards  the  church,  Burnell 
leading  the  way.  Garnet  followed  ;  and  as  soon  as  Cates- 
by  had  committed  the  horses  to  the  care  of  the  driver 
of  the  carriage,  he  tendered  his  arm  to  Viviana,  who  could 
scarcely  have  reached  the  sacred  structure  unsupported. 

Doctor  Dee  met  them  at  the  church  porch,  as  he  had 
appointed,  and,  as  soon  as  they  had  passed  through  it, 
the  door  was  locked.  Addressing  a  few  words  in  an 
undertone  to  Viviana,  but  not  deigning  to  notice  either 
of  her  companions,  Dee  directed  the  bearers  of  the  body 
to  follow  him,  and  proceeded  towards  the  choir. 

The  interior  of  the  reverend  and  beautiful  fane  was 
buried  in  profound  gloom,  and  the  feeble  light  diffused 
by  the  sexton's  lantern  only  made  the  darkness  more 
palpable.  On  entering  the  broad  and  noble  nave  nothing 
could  be  seen  of  its  clustered  pillars,  or  of  the  exquisite 
pointed  arches,  enriched  with  cinquefoil  and  quatrefoil, 
enclosing  blank  shields,  which  they  supported.  Neither 
could  its  sculptured  cornice;  its  clerestory  windows  ;  its 
upper  range  of  columns,  supporting  demi-angels  playing 
on  musical  instruments ;  its  molded  roof  crossed  by 
transverse  beams,  enriched  in  tlie  interstices  with  sculp- 
tured ornaments,  be  distinguished.  Most  of  these  archi- 
tectural glories  were  invisible ;  but  the  very  gloom  in 
which  they  were  shrouded  was  imposing.  As  the  dim 
light  fell  upon  pillar  after  pillar  as  they  passed,  revealing 
their  moldings,  piercing  a  few  feet  into  tlie  side  aisles, 
and  falling  upon  the  grotesque  heads,  the  embattled  orna- 
ments and  grotesque  tracery  of  the  arches,  the  effect  was 
inexpressibly  striking. 

Nor  were  the  personages  inappropriate  to  the  somber 
scene.  The  reverend  figure  of  Dee,  with  his  loose  flow- 
ing robe  and  long  white  beard ;  the  priestly  garb  and 
grave  aspect  of  Garnet ;  the  soldiei'-like  bearing  of  Gates- 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCHESTER.      179 

by,  his  armed  heel  and  rapier-point  clanking  upon  the 
pavement ;  the  drooping  figure  of  Viviana,  whose  features 
were  buried  in  her  kerchief,  and  wliose  sobs  were 
distinctly  audible  ;  the  strangely-fashioned  coffin,  and  the 
attendants  by  whom  it  was  borne  ; — all  constituted  a  sin- 
gular, and,   at  the  same  time,  deeply-interesting  picture. 

Approaching  the  magnificent  screen  terminating  the 
nave,  they  passed  through  an  arched  gateway  within  it, 
and  entered  the  choir.  The  west-end  of  this  part  of  the 
church  was  assigned  as  the  burial-place  of  the  ancient  and 
honorable  family,  the  head  of  which  was  about  to  be 
deposited  within  it,  and  was  designated  from  the  circum- 
stance, the  "Radclifte  chancel."  A  long  slab  of  gray 
marble,  in  which  a  brass  plate,  displaying  the  armorial 
bearings  of  the  Radcliffes,  was  inserted,  had  been  re- 
moved, and  the  earth  thrown  out  of  the  cavity  beneath 
it.  Kelley,  who  had  assisted  in  making  the  excavation, 
was  standing  beside  it,  leaning  on  a  spade,  with  a  lantern 
at  his  feet.  He  drew  aside  as  the  funeral  train  ap- 
proached, and  the  shell  was  deposited  at  the  edge  of  the 
grave. 

Picturesque  and  striking  as  was  the  scene  in  the  nave, 
it  fell  far  short  of  that  now  exhibited.  The  choir  of  the 
Collegiate  Church  at  Manchester  may  challenge  compari- 
son with  any  similar  structure.  Its  thirty  elaborately- 
carved  stalls,  covered  with  canopies  of  the  richest  taber- 
nacle work,  surmounted  by  niches,  moldings,  pinnacles, 
and  perforated  tracery,  and  crowned  with  a  richly-sculp- 
tured cornice ;  its  side  aisles,  with  their  pillars  and 
arches ;  its  molded  ceiling  rich  m  the  most  delicate  and 
fairy  tracery ;  its  gorgeous  altar-screen  of  carved  oak ; 
and  its  magnificent  eastern  window,  then  filled  with 
stained  glass,  form  a  coup-cVcBil  of  almost  unequaled 
splendor  and  beauty.  Few  of  these  marvels  could  now 
be  seen.  But  such  points  of  the  pinnacles  and  hanging 
canopies  of  the  stalls,  of  the  fa9ades  of  the  side  aisles,  and 
of  the  fretted  roof,  as  received  any  portion  of  the  light, 
came  in  with  admirable  effect. 


180  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  All  is  prepared,  you  perceive,"  observed  Dee  to 
Viviana.  "  I  will  retire  while  the  ceremony  is  performed." 
And  gravely  inclining  his  head,  he  passed  through  an 
arched  door  in  the  south  aisle,  and  entered  the  chapter- 
house. 

Garnet  was  about  to  proceed  with  the  service  appointed 
by  the  Romish  Church  for  the  burial  of  the  dead,  when 
Viviana,  uttering  a  loud  cry,  would  have  fallen,  if  Catesby 
had  not  flown  to  her  assistance,  and  borne  her  to  one 
of  the  stalls.  Recovering  her  self-possession  the  next 
moment,  she  entreated  him  to  leave  her;  and  while  the 
service  proceeded,  she  knelt  down  and  prayed  fervently 
for  the  soul  of  the  departed. 

Placing  himself  at  the  foot  of  the  body,  Garnet  sprinkled 
it  with  holy  water,  which  he  had  brought  with  him  in  a 
small  silver  consecrated  vessel.  He  then  recited  the  D& 
Profundis,  the  Miserere^  and  other  antiphons  and  prayers ; 
placed  incense  in  a  burner,  which  he  had  likewise  brought 
with  him,  and  having  lighted  it,  bowed  reverently  towards 
the  altar,  sprinkled  the  body  thrice  with  holy  water,  at 
the  sides,  at  the  head,  and  the  feet ;  and  then  walking 
round  it  with  the  incense-burner,  dispersed  its  fragrant 
odor  over  it.  This  done,  he  recited  another  prayer,  pro- 
nounced a  solemn  benediction  over  the  place  of  sepulture, 
and  the  body  was  lowered  into  it. 

The  noise  of  the  earth  falling  upon  the  shell  aroused 
Viviana  from  her  devotions.  She  looked  towards  the 
grave,  but  could  see  nothing  but  the  gloomy  group  around 
it,  prominent  among  which  appeared  the  tall  figure  of 
Gatesby.  The  sight  was  too  much  for  her,  and,  unable  to 
control  her  grief,  she  fainted.  Meanwhile,  the  grave  was 
rapidly  filled,  all  lending  their  aid  to  the  task ;  and  noth- 
ing was  wanting  but  to  restore  the  slab  to  its  original 
position.  By  the  united  efforts  of  Catesby,  Kelley,  and 
the  sexton,  this  was  soon  accomplished,  and  the  former, 
unaware  of  what  had  happened,  was  about  to  proceed  to 
Viviana,  to  tell  her  all  was  over,  when  he  was  arrested  by 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCHESTER.      181 

a  loud  knocking  at  the  church  door,  accompanied  by  a 
clamorous  demand  for  admittance. 

"  We  are  betrayed ! "  exclaimed  Catesby.  "  It  is  as  I 
suspected.  Take  care  of  Viviana,  father.  I  will  after 
the  hoary  impostor,  and  cleave  his  skull !  Extinguish  the 
lights — quick  !  quick  !  " 

Garnet  hastily  complied  with  these  injunctions,  and  the 
choir  was  plunged  in  total  darkness.  He  then  rushed  to 
the  stalls,  but  could  nowhere  find  Viviana.  He  called 
her  by  name,  but  received  no  answer,  and  was  continuing 
his  fruitless  search,  when  he  heard  footsteps  approaching, 
and  the  voice  of  Catesby  exclaimed, 

"  Follow  me  with  your  charge,  father." 

"  Alas  !  my  son,  she  is  not  here,"  replied  Garnet.  "  I 
have  searched  each  stall  as  carefully  as  I  could  in  the 
dark.     I  fear  she  has  been  spirited  away." 

"  Impossible ! "  cried  Catesby.  And  he  ran  his  hand 
along  the  row  of  sculptured  seats,  but  without  success. 
"  She  is  indeed  gone !  "  he  exclaimed  distractedly.  "  It 
was  here  I  left  her — nay,  here  I  beheld  her  at  the 
very  moment  the  lights  were  extinguished.  Viviana  1 — 
Viviana ! " 

But  all  was  silent. 

"  It  is  that  cursed  magician's  handiwork  I "  he  con- 
tinued, striking  his  forehead  in  despair. 

"  Did  you  find  him  ?  "  demanded  Garnet. 

«  No,"  replied  Catesby.  "  The  door  of  the  chapter- 
house was  locked  inside.  The  treacherous  villain  did 
well  to  guard  against  my  fury." 

"  You  provoked  his  resentment,  my  son,"  rejoined 
Garnet.  "  But  this  is  not  a  season  for  reproaches.  Some- 
thing must  be  done.     Where  is  Kelley  ?  " 

At  the  suggestion,  Catesby  instantly  darted  to  the  spot 
where  the  seer  had  stood.  He  was  not  there.  He  then 
questioned  the  servants,  whose  teeth  were  chattering 
with  fright,  but  they  had  neither  heard  him  depart,  nor 
could  tell  anything  about  him ;  and  perceiving  plainly 
from  their  trepidation  that  these  men  would  lend  no  aid, 


182  GUY  FAWKES. 

even  if  they  did  not  join  the  assailants,  he  returned  to 
communicate  his  apprehension  to  Garnet. 

During  all  this  time  the  knocking  and  vociferations  at 
the  door  had  continued  with  increased  violence,  and  re- 
verberated in  hollow  peals  along  the  roof  and  aisles  of 
the  church. 

The  emergency  was  a  fearful  one.  Catesl)y,  however, 
had  been  too  often  placed  in  situations  of  peril,  and  was 
too  constitutionally  brave,  to  experience  much  uneasiness 
for  himself ;  but  his  apprehensions  lest  Garnet  should  be 
captured,  and  the  sudden  and  mysterious  disappearance  of 
Viviana  almost  distracted  him.  Persuading  himself  she 
might  have  fallen  to  the  ground,  or  that  he  had  overlooked 
the  precise  spot  where  he  had  left  her,  he  renewed  his 
search,  but  with  no  better  success  than  before ;  and  he 
was  almost  beginning  to  believe  that  some  magic  might 
have  been  practised  to  cause  her  disappearance,  when  it 
occurred  to  him  that  she  had  been  carried  off  by  Kelley. 

"  Fool  that  I  was,  not  to  think  of  that  before  !  "  he  ex- 
claimed. "  I  have  unintentionally  aided  their  project  by 
extinguishing  the  lights.  But  now  that  I  am  satisfied  she 
is  gone,  I  can  devote  my  whole  energies  to  the  preserva- 
tion of  Garnet.  They  shall  not  capture  us  so  easily  as 
they  anticipate." 

With  this,  he  approached  the  priest,  and  grasping  his 
hand  drew  him  noiselessly  along.  They  had  scarcely 
passed  through  the  arched  doorway  in  the  screen,  and 
set  foot  within  the  nave,  when  the  clamor  without  ceased. 
The  next  moment  a  thundering  crash  was  heard ;  the 
door  burst  open,  and  a  number  of  armed  figures  bearing 
torches,  with  drawn  swords  in  their  hands,  rushed  with 
loud  vociferations  into  the  church. 

"  We  must  surrender,  my  son,"  cried  Garnet.  "  It  will 
be  useless  to  contend  against  that  force." 

"  But  we  may  yet  escape  them,"  rejoined  Catesby.  And 
glancing  hastily  round  he  perceived  a  small  open  door  in 
the  wall  at  the  right,  and  pointing  it  out  to  the  priest, 
hurried  towards  it. 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCHESTER.     18S 

On  reaching  it,  they  found  it  communicated  with  a  flight 
of  stone  steps,  evidently  leading  to  the  roof. 

"  Saved  !  saved !  "  cried  Catesby,  triumphantly.  "  Mount 
first,  father.     I  will  defend  the  passage." 

The  pursuers,  who  saw  the  course  taken  by  the  fugi- 
tives, set  up  a  loud  shout,  and  ran  as  swiftly  as  they  could 
in  the  same  direction,  and  by  the  time  the  latter  had 
gained  the  door  they  were  within  a  few  yards  of  it. 
Garnet  darted  up  the  steps ;  but  Catesby  lingered  to 
make  fast  the  door,  and  thus  oppose  some  obstacle  to  the 
hostile  party.  His  efforts,  however,  were  unexpectedly 
checked,  and,  on  examination,  he  found  it  was  hooked 
to  the  wall  at  the  back.  Undoing  the  fastening,  the  door 
swung  to,  and  he  instantly  bolted  it.  Overjoyed  at  his 
success,  and  leaving  his  pursuers,  who  at  this  moment 
arrived,  to  vent  their  disappointment  in  loud  menaces,  he 
hastened  after  Garnet.  Calling  loudly  to  him,  he  was 
answered  from  a  small  dark  chamber  on  the  right,  into 
which  the  priest  had  retreated. 

"  We  have  but  prolonged  our  torture,"  groaned  Garnet. 
"I  can  find  no  outlet.  Our  foes  will  speedily  force  an 
entrance,  and  we  must  then  fall  into  their  hands." 

"  There  must  be  some  door  opening  upon  the  roof, 
father,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  Mount  as  high  as  you  can, 
and  search  carefully.  I  will  defend  the  stairs,  and  will 
undertake  to  maintain  my  post  against  the  whole  rout." 

Thus  urged.  Garnet  ascended  the  steps.  After  the 
lapse  of  a  few  minutes,  during  which  the  thundering  at 
the  door  below  increased,  and  the  heavy  blows  of  some 
weighty  implement  directed  against  it,  were  distinctly 
heard,  he  cried, 

"  I  have  found  a  door,  but  the  bolts  are  rusty — I  cannot 
move  them." 

"  Use  all  your  strength,  father,"  shouted  Catesby,  who 
having  planted  himself  with  his  drawn  sword  at  an  ad- 
vantageous point,  was  listening  with  intense  anxiety  to 
the  exertions  of  the  assailing  party.  "  Do  not  relax  your 
efforts  for  a  moment." 


184  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  It  is  in  vain,  my  son,"  rejoined  Garnet,  in  accents  of 
despair.  "  My  hands  are  bruised  and  bleeding,  but  tlie 
bolts  stir  not." 

"Distraction  !  "  cried  Catesby,  gnashing  his  teeth  with 
rage.     "  Let  me  try." 

And  he  was  about  to  hasten  to  the  priest's  assistance, 
when  the  door  below  was  burst  open  with  a  loud  crash, 
and  the  assailants  rushed  up  the  steps.  The  passage  was 
so  narrow  that  they  were  compelled  to  mount  singly,  and 
Catesby's  was  scarcely  a  vain  boast  when  he  said  he  could 
maintain  his  ground  against  the  whole  host.  Shouting  to 
Garnet  to  renew  his  efforts,  he  prepared  for  the  assault. 
Reserving  his  petronels  to  the  last,  he  trusted  solely  to 
his  rapier,  and  leaning  against  the  newel,  or  circular 
column  round  which  the  stairs  twined,  he  was  in  a  great 
measure  defended  from  the  weapons  of  his  adversaries, 
while  they  were  completely  exposed  to  his  attack.  The 
darkness,  moreover,  in  which  he  was  enveloped  offered 
an  additional  protection,  whereas  the  torches  they  car- 
ried made  his  mark  certain.  As  soon  as  the  foremost  of 
the  band  came  within  reach,  Catesby  plunged  his  sword 
into  his  breast,  and  pushed  him  back  with  all  liis  force 
upon  his  comrades.  The  man  fell  heavily  backwards, 
dislodging  the  next  in  advance,  who  in  his  turn  upset  his 
successor,  and  so  on,  till  the  whole  band  was  thrown  into 
confusion.  A  discharge  of  firearms  followed  ;  but,  shel- 
tered by  the  newel,  Catesby  sustained  no  injury.  At 
this  moment,  he  was  cheered  by  a  cry  from  Garnet  that 
he  had  succeeded  in  forcing  back  the  bolts,  terror  having 
supplied  him  with  a  strength  not  his  own ;  and,  making 
anotlier  sally  upon  his  assailants,  amid  the  disorder  that 
ensued,  Catesby  retreated,  and  rapidly  tracking  the  steps, 
reached  the  door,  through  which  the  priest  had  already 
passed.  "When  within  a  short  distance  of  the  outlet, 
Catesby  felt,  from  the  current  of  fresh  air  that  saluted 
him,  that  it  opened  upon  the  roof  of  the  church.  Nor 
was  he  deceived.  A  few  steps  placed  him  upon  the  leads, 
where  he  found  Garnet. 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCHESTER.       185 

"  It  is  you,  my  son,"  cried  the  latter,  on  beholding  him  ; 
« I  thought  from  the  shouts  you  had  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy." 

"  No,  Heaven  be  praised  !  I  am  as  yet  safe,  and  trust 
to  deliver  you  out  of  their  hands.  Come  with  me  to  the 
battlements." 

"  The  battlements  ! "  exclaimed  Garnet.  "  A  leap  from 
such  a  height  as  that  were  certain  destruction." 

"It  were   so,"  replied  Catesby,  dragging  him  along. 
"  But  trust  to  me,  and  you  shall  yet  reach  the   ground  ' 
uninjured." 

Arrived  at  the  battlements,  Catesby  leaned  over  them, 
and  endeavored  to  ascertain  what  was  beneath.  It  was 
still  so  dark  that  he  could  scarcely  discern  any  objects  but 
those  close  to  him,  but  as  far  as  he  could  trust  his  vision,  he 
thought  he  perceived  a  projecting  building  some  twelve 
or  fourteen  feet  below ;  and  calling  to  mind  the  form  of 
the  church,  which  he  had  frequently  seen  and  admired,  he 
remembered  its  chantries,  and  had  no  doubt  but  it  was  the 
roof  of  one  of  them  that  he  beheld.  If  he  could  reach  it, 
the  descent  from  thence  would  be  easy,  and  he  imme- 
diately communicated  the  idea  to  Garnet,  who  shrank 
aghast  from  it.  Little  time,  however,  was  allowed  for 
consideration.  Their  pursuers  had  already  scaled  the 
stairs,  and  were  springing  one  after  another  upon  the 
leads,  uttering  the  most  terrible  threats  against  the  de- 
stroyer of  their  comrade.  Hastily  divesting  himself  of  his 
cloak,  Catesby  clambered  over  the  battlements,  and,  im- 
pelled by  fear.  Garnet  threw  off  his  robe,  and  followed  his 
example.  Clinging  to  the  grotesque  stone  water-spouts 
which  projected  below  the  battlements,  and  placing  the 
points  of  his  feet  upon  the  arches  of  the  clerestory  win- 
dows, and  thence  upon  the  mullions  and  transom  bars, 
Catesby  descended  in  safety,  and  then  turned  to  assist 
his  companion,  who  was  quickly  by  his  side. 

The  most  difficult  and  dangerous  part  of  the  descent 
had  yet  to  be  accomplished.  They  were  now  nearly 
thirty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  the  same  irregularities 


186  GUY  FAWKES. 

in  the  walls  which  had  favored  them  in  the  upper  struc- 
ture did  not  exist  in  the  lower.  But  their  present 
position,  exposed  as  it  was  to  their  pursuers,  who, 
having  reached  the  point  immediately  overhead,  were 
preparmg  to  fire  upon  them,  was  too  dangerous  to  allow 
of  its  occupation  for  a  moment,  and  Garnet  required  no 
urging  to  make  him  clamber  over  the  low  embattled  par- 
apet. Descending  a  flying  buttress  that  defended  an 
angle  of  the  building,  Catesby,  who  was  possessed  of 
great  strength  and  activity,  was  almost  instantly  upon 
the  ground.  Garnet  was  not  so  fortunate.  Missing  his 
footing,  he  fell  from  a  considerable  height,  and  his  groans 
proclaimed  that  he  had  received  some  serious  injury. 
Catesby  instantly  flew  to  him,  and  demanded,  in  a  tone  of 
the  greatest  anxiety,  whether  he  was  much  hurt. 

«  My  right  arm  is  broken,"  gasped  the  sufferer,  raising 
himself  with  difficulty.  "What  other  injuries  I  have 
sustained  I  know  not ;  but  every  joint  seems  dislocated, 
and  my  face  is  covered  with  blood.     Heaven  have  pity  on 

me!" 

As  he  spoke,  a  shout  of  exultation  arose  from  the  hos- 
tile party,  who,  having  heard  Garnet's  fall,  and  the  groans 
that  succeeded  it,  at  once  divined  the  cause,  and  made 
sure  of  a  capture.  A  deep  silence  followed,  proving  that 
they  had  quitted  the  roof,  and  were  hastening  to  secure 
their  prey. 

Aware  that  it  would  take  them  some  little  time  to  de- 
scend the  winding  staircase,  and  traverse  the  long  aisle  of 
the  church,  Catesby  felt  certain  of  distancing  them.  But 
he  could  not  abandon  Garnet,  who  had  become  insensible 
from  the  agony  of  his  fractured  limb,  and,  lifting  him 
carefully  in  his  arms,  he  placed  him  upon  his  shoulder, 
and  started  at  a  swift  pace  towards  the  further  extrem- 
ity of  the  churchyard. 

At  the  period  of  this  history,  the  western  boundary  of 
the  Collegiate  Church  was  formed  by  a  precipitous  sand- 
stone rock  of  great  height,  the  base  of  which  was  washed 
by  the  watery   of  the   Irwell,   while    its   summit  was 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCHESTER.      Ig7 

guarded  by  a  low  stone  wall.  In  after  years,  a  range  of 
small  habitations  was  built  upon  this  spot,  but  they  have 
been  recently  removed,  and  the  rock  having  been  low- 
ered, a  road  now  occupies  their  site.  Nerved  by  des]De- 
ration,  Catesby,  who  was  sufficiently  well  acquainted  with 
the  locality  to  know  whither  he  was  shaping  his  course, 
determined  to  hazard  a  descent,  which,  under  calmer 
circumstances,  he  would  have  deemed  wholly  impracti- 
cable. His  pursuers,  who  issued  from  the  church  porch  a 
few  seconds  after  he  had  passed  it,  saw  him  hurry  towards 
the  low  wall  edging  the  precipice,  and  encumbered  as  he 
was  with  the  priest,  vault  over  it.  Not  deeming  it  possible 
he  would  dare  to  spring  from  such  a  height,  they  darted 
after  him.  But  they  were  deceived,  and  could  scarcely 
credit  their  senses  when  they  found  him  gone.  By  the 
light  of  their  torches  they  perceived  him  shooting  down 
the  almost  perpendicular  side  of  the  rock,  and  the  next 
moment  a  hollow  plunge  told  that  he  had  reached  the 
water.     They  stared  at  each  other  in  mute  astonishment. 

"Will  you  follow  him,  Dick  Haughton?"  observed 
one,  as  soon  as  he  had  recovered  his  speech. 

"Not  I,"  replied  the  fellow  addressed.  "I  have  no 
fancy  for  a  broken  neck.  Follow  him  thyself  if  thou  hast 
a  mind  to  try  the  soundness  of  thy  pate.  I  warrant  that 
rock  will  put  it  to  the  proof." 

"Yet  the  feat  has  just  been  done,  and  by  one  burthened 
with  a  wounded  comrade  into  the  bargain,"  remarked  the 
first  speaker. 

"  He  must  be  the  devil,  that's  certain,"  rejoined  Haugh- 
ton ;  "  and  Doctor  Dee  himself  is  no  match  for  him." 

"  He  has  the  Devil's  luck,  that's  certain,"  cried  a  third 
soldier.  "  But,  hark  !  he  is  swimming  across  the  river. 
We  may  yet  catch  him  on  the  opposite  bank.  Come 
along,  comrades." 

With  this,  they  rushed  out  of  the  churchyard ;  made 
the  best  of  their  way  to  the  bridge  ;  and  crossing  it,  flew 
to  the  bank  of  the  river,  where  they  dispersed  in  every 
direction,  in  search  for  the  fugitive.  But  they  could  not 
discover  a  trace  of  him  or  his  wounded  companion. 


188  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  XYII. 

THE    RENCOUNTER. 

Catesby  himself  could  scarcely  tell  how  he  accom- 
plished his  hair-breadth  escape.  Reckless  almost  of  the 
result,  he  slided  down  the  rock,  catching  at  occasional 
irregularities  as  he  descended.  The  river  was  of  great 
depth  at  this  point,  and  broke  the  force  of  his  fall.  On 
rising,  he  struck  out  a  few  yards,  and  suffered  himself  to 
be  carried  down  the  stream.  He  had  never  for  one  mo- 
ment relinquished  his  hold  of  Garnet,  and  being  an 
admirable  swimmer,  found  little  difSculty  in  sustaining 
him  with  one  arm,  while  with  the  other  he  guided  his 
course  in  the  water.  In  this  way  he  reached  the  shore 
in  safety,  about  a  hundred  yards  below  the  bridge,  by 
which  means  he  avoided  his  pursuers,  who,  as  has  just 
been  stated,  searched  for  him  above  it. 

After  debating  with  himself  for  a  short  time  as  to  what 
course  he  should  pursue,  he  decided  upon  conveying  Gar- 
net to  the  Hall,  where  he  could  procure  restoratives  and 
assistance ;  and  though  he  was  fully  sensible  of  the 
danger  of  this  plan,  not  doubting  the  mansion  would  be 
visited  and  searched  by  his  pursuers  before  morning,  yet 
the  necessity  of  warning  Guy  Fawkes  outweighed  every 
other  consideration.  Accordingly,  again  shouldering  the 
priest,  who,  though  he  had  regained  his  sensibility,  was 
utterly  unable  to  move,  he  commenced  his  toilsome  march  ; 
and  being  frequently  obliged  to  pause  and  rest  himself, 
more  than  an  hour  elapsed  before  he  reached  his  destina- 
tion. 

It  was  just  growing  light  as  he  crossed  the  drawbridge, 
and  seeing  a  horse  tied  to  a  tree,  and  the  gate  open,  he 
began  to  fear  the  enemy  had  preceded  him.  Full  of  mis- 
giving, he  laid  Garnet  upon  a  heap  of  straw  in  an  out- 


THE  RENCOUNTER.  1S9 

building,  and  entered  the  house.  He  found  no  one  below, 
though  he  glanced  into  each  room.  He  then  noiselessly 
ascended  the  stairs,  with  the  intention  of  proceeding  to 
Guy  Fawkes's  chamber. 

As  he  traversed  the  gallery,  he  heard  voices  in  one  of 
the  chambers,  the  door  of  which  was  ajar,  and  pausing  to 
listen,  distinguished  the  tones  of  Viviana.  Filled  with 
astonishment,  he  was  about  to  enter  the  room  to  inquire 
by  what  means  she  had  reached  the  Hall,  when  he  was 
arrested  by  the  voice  of  her  companion.  It  was  that  of 
Humphrey  Chetham.  Maddened  by  jealousy,  Catesby's 
first  impulse  was  to  rush  into  the  room,  and  stab  his 
rival  in  the  presence  of  his  mistress.  But  he  restrained 
his  passion  by  a  powerful  effort. 

After  listening  for  a  few  minutes  intently  to  their  con- 
versation, he  found  that  Chetham  was  taking  leave,  and 
creeping  softly  down-stairs,  stationed  himself  in  the  hall, 
through  which  he  knew  his  rival  must  necessarily  pass. 
Chetham  presently  appeared.  His  manner  was  dejected; 
his  looks  downcast ;  and  he  would  have  passed  Catesby 
without  observing  him,  if  the  latter  had  not  laid  his  hand 
upon  his  shoulder. 

"  Mr.  Catesby !  "  exclaimed  the  young  merchant,  start- 
ing as  he  beheld  the  stern  glance  fixed  upon  him.  "  I 
thought " 

"  You  thought  I  was  a  prisoner,  no  doubt,"  interrupted 
Catesby,  bitterly.  "  But  you  are  mistaken.  I  am  here 
to  confound  you  and  your  juggling  and  treacherous 
associate." 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,"  replied  Chetham. 

"  I  Avill  soon  make  myself  intelligible,"  retorted  Cates- 
by.    "  Follow  me  to  the  garden." 

"  I  perceive  your  purpose,  Mr.  Catesby,"  replied  Chet- 
ham, calmly ;  "  but  it  is  no  part  of  my  principles  to  ex- 
pose my  life  to  ruffianly  violence.  If  you  choose  to  lay 
aside  this  insolent  demeanor,  which  is  more  befitting  an 
Alsatian  bully  than  a  gentleman,  I  will  readily  give  you 
.such  explanation  of  my  conduct  as  will  fully  content  you, 


190  GtTY  FAWKES. 

and  satisfy  you  that  any  suspicions  you  may  entertain  of 
me  are  unfounded." 

"  Coward  !  "  exclaimed  Catesby,  striking  him.  "  I  want 
no  explanation.  Defend  yourself,  or  I  will  treat  you  \vith 
still  greater  indignity." 

"  Lead  on,  then,"  cried  Chetham :  "  I  would  have 
avoided  the  quarrel  if  I  could.  But  this  outrage  shall 
not  pass  unpunished." 

As  they  quitted  the  hall,  Viviana  entered  it ;  and, 
though  she  was  greatly  surprised  by  the  appearance  of 
Catesby,  his  furious  gestures  left  her  in  no  doubt  as  to 
his  purpose.  She  called  to  him  to  stop.  But  no  atten- 
tion was  paid  by  either  party  to  her  cries. 

On  gaining  a  retired  spot  beneath  the  trees,  Catesby, 
without  giving  his  antagonist  time  to  divest  himself  of 
the  heavy  horseman's  cloak  with  which  he  was  encum- 
bered, and  scarcely  to  draw  his  sword,  assaulted  him. 
The  combat  was  furious  on  both  sides,  but  it  was  evident 
that  the  young  merchant  was  no  match  for  his  adversary. 
He  maintained  his  ground,  however,  for  some  time  with 
great  resolution ;  but,  being  hotly  pressed,  in  retreating 
to  avoid  a  thrust,  his  foot  caught  in  the  long  grass,  and 
he  fell.  Catesby  would  have  passed  his  sword  through 
his  body,  if  it  had  not  been  turned  aside  by  another 
weapon.  It  was  that  of  Guy  Fawkes,  who,  followed  by 
Martin  Heydocke,  had  staggered  towards  the  scene  of 
strife,  reaching  it  just  in  time  to  save  the  life  of  Hum- 
phrey Chetham. 

"  Heaven  be  praised  !  I  am  not  too  late  1  "  he  ex- 
claimed. "  Put  up  your  blade,  Catesby ;  or,  turn  it 
against  me." 


Guy   Fawkes   was   just   in   time   to   prevent  Catesby  running  his  sword 
through  Chetham.     Page  190.  Guy  Fawkes 


THE  EXPLANATION.  I9I 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


THE    EXPLANATION'. 


Uttering  an  exclamation  of  rage,  Catesby  turned 
fiercely  upon  Fawkes,  and  for  a  moment  appeared  dis- 
posed to  accept  his  invitation  to  continue  the  combat 
with  him.  But  as  he  regarded  the  other's  haggard  feat- 
ures, and  perceived  in  them  the  traces  of  his  recent 
struggle  with  death — as  he  saw  he  was  scarcely  able  to 
wield  the  blade  he  opposed  against  him — his  wrath 
changed  to  compassion,  and  he  sheathed  his  sword.  By 
this  time,  Humphrey  Chetham  had  sprung  to  his  feet,  and 
picking  up  his  fallen  weapon,  stood  on  his  defense.  But 
finding  that  Catesby  meditated  no  further  hostilities,  he 
returned  it  to  the  scabbard. 

"  I  owe  my  life  to  you,"  he  said  to  Guy  Fawkes,  in  a 
tone  of  deep  gratitude. 

"  You  owe  it  to  Viviana  Radcliffe,  not  to  me,"  returned 
Fawkes  feebly,  and  leaning  upon  his  sword  for  support. 
"  Had  it  not  been  for  her  cries,  I  should  have  known  noth- 
ing of  this  quarrel.  And  I  would  now  gladly  learn  what 
has  occasioned  it." 

"  So  would  I,"  added  Chetham  ;  "  for  I  am  as  ignorant 
as  yourself  how  I  have  offended  Mr.  Catesby." 

"  I  will  tell  you,  then,"  returned  Catesby,  sternly. 
"  You  were  a  party  to  the  snare  set  for  us  by  Doctor  Dee, 
from  which  I  narrowly  escaped  with  life,  and  Father 
Garnet  at  the  expense  of  a  broken  limb." 

"  Is  Garnet  hurt  ?  "  demanded  Fawkes,  anxiously. 

"  Grievously,"  replied  Catesby ;  "  but  he  is  not  out  of 
the  reach  of  his  enemies,  of  whom,"  he  added,  pointing 
to  Chetham,  "  one  of  the  most  malignant  and  treacherous 
now  stands  before  you." 

*'  I  am  quite  in  the  dark  as  to  what  has  happened," 


192  GUY  FAWKES. 

observed  Fawkes,  "  having  only  a  few  minutes  ago  been 
roused  from  my  slumbers  by  the  shrieks  of  Viviana,  who 
entreated  me  to  come  and  separate  you.  But  I  cannot 
believe  Humphrey  Chetham  so  treacherous  as  you  repre- 
sent him." 

"  So  far  from  having  any  enmity  towards  Father 
Garnet,"  observed  Chetham,  "  my  anxious  desire  was  to 
preserve  him ;  and  with  that  view,  I  was  repairing  to  Doctor 
Dee,  when  I  encountered  Mr.  Catesby  in  the  hall,  and  be- 
fore I  could  offer  any  explanation,  I  was  forced  by  his 
violence  and  insults  into  this  combat." 

"  Is  this  the  truth,  Catesby  ?  "  asked  Fawkes. 

"  Something  near  it,"  rejoined  the  latter ;  "  but  perhaps 
Mr.  Chetham  will  likewise  inform  you  by  whose  agency 
Viviana  was  transported  hither  from  the  Collegiate 
Church  ?  " 

"  That  inquiry  ought  rather  to  be  made  of  the  lady 
herself,  sir,"  rejoined  Chetham,  coldly.  "But,  as  lam 
assured  she  would  have  no  objection  to  my  answering  it, 
I  shall  not  hesitate  to  do  so.  She  was  conveyed  hither 
by  Kelley  and  an  assistant,  who  departed  as  soon  as 
their  task  was  completed." 

"  Indeed ! "  exclaimed  Catesby  between  his  ground 
teeth.  "  But  how  chanced  it,  sir,  that  you  arrived  here  so 
opportunely  ?  " 

"  I  might  well  refuse  to  answer  a  question  thus  inso- 
lently put,"  rejoined  Chetham.  "  But  to  prevent  further 
misunderstanding,  I  will  tell  you,  that  I  came  by 
Viviana's  invitation  at  midnight ;  and,  ascertaining  from 
my  servant,  Martin  Heydocke,  whom  I  found  watching 
by  the  couch  of  Guy  Fawkes,  the  melancholy  business  on 
which  she  was  engaged,  I  determined  to  await  her  return, 
which  occurred  about  an  hour  afterwards,  in  the  manner 
I  have  just  related." 

"  I  was  in  the  courtyard  when  Mistress  Viviana  was 
brought  back,"  interposed  Martin  Heydocke,  who  was 
standing  at  a  respectful  distance  from  the  group ;  "  and, 
after  Kelley  had  delivered  her  to  my  charge,  I  heard  him 


THE  EXPLAJSTATION.  193 

observe  in  an  undertone  to  his  companion,  '  Let  us  ride 
back  as  fast  as  we  can,  and  see  what  they  have  done  with 
the  prisoners.' " 

"  They  made  sure  of  their  prey  before  it  was  captured," 
observed  Catesby,  bitterly.  "  But  we  have  disappointed 
them.  Dee  and  his  associate  may  yet  have  reason  to 
repent  their  perfidy." 

"  You  will  do  well  not  to  put  yourself  again  in  their 
power,"  observed  Humphrey  Chethara.  "  If  you  will  be 
counseled  by  me,  you  and  Guy  Fawkes  will  seek  safety 
in  instant  flight." 

"  And  leave  you  with  Viviana  ? "  rejoined  Catesby, 
sarcastically. 

«  She  is  in  no  present  danger,"  replied  Chetham. 
"  But,  if  it  is  thought  fitting  or  desirable,  I  will  remain 
with  her." 

"  I  do  not  doubt  it,"  returned  Catesby,  with  a  sneer  ; 
"  T)ut  it  is  neither  fitting  nor  desirable.  And,  hark  ye, 
young  sir,  if  you  have  indulged  any  expectations  with 
regard  to  Viviana  Radcliffe,  it  is  time  you  were  unde- 
ceived. She  will  never  wed  one  of  your  degree,  nor  of 
your  faith." 

"  I  have  her  own  assurance  she  will  never  wed  at  all," 
replied  Chetham,  in  an  offended  tone.  "  But  had  she  not 
crushed  my  hopes  by  declaring  she  was  vowed  to  a  con- 
vent, no  menaces  of  yours,  who  have  neither  right  nor 
title  thus  to  interfere,  should  induce  me  to  desist  from 
my  suit." 

"  Either  resign  all  pretensions  to  her  hand,  or  prepare 
to  renew  the  combat,"  cried  Catesby,  fiercely. 

"No  more  of  this,"  interposed  Guy  Fawkes.  "Let  us 
return  to  the  house,  and  adjust  our  differences  there." 

"  I  have  no  further  business  here,"  observed  Humphrey 
Chetham.  "  Having  taken  leave  of  Viviana,"  he  added, 
with  much  emotion,  "  I  do  not  desire  to  meet  her  again." 

"  It  is  well,  sir,"  rejoined  Catesby :  "  yet,  stay ! — you 
mean  us  no  treachery  ?  " 


194  GUY  FAWKES. 

"If  you  suspect  me,  I  will  remain,"  replied  Humphrey 
Chetham. 

"On  no  account,"  interposed  Guy  Fawkes.  "I  will 
answer  for  him  with  my  life." 

"  Perhaps,  when  I  tell  you  I  have  procured  the  libera- 
tion of  Father  Oldcorne,"  returned  Chetham,  "  and  have 
placed  him  in  security  in  Ordsall  cave,  you  will  admit 
that  you  have  done  me  wrong." 

"  I  have  been  greatly  mistaken  in  you,  sir,  I  must  own," 
observed  Catesby,  advancing  towards  him,  and  extending 
his  hand.  But  Humphrey  Chetham  folded  his  arms  upon 
his  breast,  and  bowing  coldly,  withdrew.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  Martin  Heydocke,  and  presently  afterwards  the 
tramp  of  his  horse's  feet  was  heard  crossing  the  draw- 
bridge. 


THE  DISCOVERY.  195 


CHAPTER   XIX. 


THE     DISCOVERY. 


Tendering  his  arm  to  Fawkes,  who  was  almost  too 
feeble  to  walk  unsupported,  Catesby  led  him  slowly  to  the 
Hall.  On  reaching  it,  they  met  Viviana,  in  a  state  bor- 
dering upon  distraction,  but  her  distress  was  speedily 
relieved  by  their  assurances  that  the  young  merchant  had 
departed  unhurt, — a  statement  immediately  afterwards 
confirmed  by  the  entrance  of  Martin  Heydocke,  charged 
with  a  message  from  his  master  to  her.  Without  com- 
municating his  design  to  the  others,  and,  indeed,  almost 
shunning  Viviana,  Catesby  proceeded  to  the  outbuilding 
where  he  had  deposited  Garnet.  He  found  him  in  great 
pain,  and  praying  fervently  to  be  released  from  his  suf- 
fering. 

"  Do  not  despair,  father,"  said  Catesby,  in  as  cheerful  a 
tone  as  he  could  assume,  "  the  worst  is  over.  Viviana  is 
in  safety.  Father  Oldcorne  has  escaped,  and  is  within  a 
short  distance  of  us,  and  Guy  Fawkes  is  fully  able  to  un- 
dertake a  journey  of  any  distance.  You  are  our  sole  con- 
cern. But  I  am  assured,  if  you  will  allow  me  to  exercise 
the  slight  surgical  skill  I  possess  in  your  behalf,  that  you 
will  be  able  to  accompany  us." 

"  Do  with  me  what  you  please,  my  son,"  groaned  Gar- 
net. "  But,  if  my  case  is  as  desperate  as  I  believe  it,  I 
entreat  you  not  to  bestow  any  further  care  upon  me,  and, 
above  all,  not  to  expose  yourself  to  risk  on  my  account. 
Our  enemies  are  sure  to  pursue  us, — and  what  matter 
if  I  am  captured  ?  They  will  wreak  their  vengeance  on 
a  worthless  carcass, — for  such  I  shall  soon  be.  But  it 
would  double  the  anguish  I  now  endure,  if  you  and 
Fawkes  were  to  fall  into  their  hands,    Go,   then,  and 


196  GUY  FAWKES. 

leave  me  here  to  perish.  My  dying  moments  will  be 
cheered  by  the  conviction  that  the  great  enterprise — for 
whicli  alone  I  desire  to  live — will  not  be  unaccomplished." 

"  There  is  no  need  to  leave  you,  father,"  replied  Catesby, 
"  nor  shall  any  consideration  induce  me  to  do  so,  till  I 
have  rendered  you  every  aid  that  circumstances  will  per- 
mit." 

"  My  son,"  replied  Garnet,  faintly,  "  the  most  efficacious 
balm  you  can  apply  will  be  the  certainty  that  you  are  in 
safety.  You  say  Viviana  is  here.  Fly  with  Fawkes,  and 
leave  me  to  her  care." 

"  She  must  go  with  us,"  observed  Catesby,  uneasily. 

"  Not  so,  my  soii,"  returned  Garnet ;  "  her  presence  will 
only  endanger  you.  She  must  not  go.  And  you  must 
abandon  all  hopes  of  an  union  with  her." 

"  I  would  as  soon  abandon  the  great  design  itself," 
returned  Catesby,  moodily. 

"If  you  persist  in  this,  you  will  ruin  it,"  rejoined  Gar- 
net. "  Think  of  her  no  more.  Bend  your  thoughts  ex- 
clusively on  the  one  grand  object,  and  be  what  you  are 
chosen  to  be,  the  defender  and  deliverer  of  our  holy 
Church." 

"  I  would  gladly  act  as  you  advise  me,  father,"  replied 
Catesby  ;  "  but  I  am  spellbound  by  this  maiden." 

"  This  is  idle  from  you,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet,  re- 
proachfully. "  Separate  yourself  from  her,  and  you  will 
soon  regain  your  former  mastery  over  yourself." 

"  Well,  well,  father,"  rejoined  Catesby,  "  the  effort,  at 
least,  shall  be  made.  But  her  large  possessions,  which 
would  be  so  useful  to  our  cause,  and  which,  if  I  wedded 
her,  would  be  wholly  devoted  to  it, — think  of  what  we 
lose,  father." 

"  I  have  thought  of  it,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet ;  "  but 
the  consideration  does  not  alter  my  opinion  :  and  if  I 
possess  any  authority  over  you,  I  strictly  enjoin  you  not 
to  proceed  farther  in  the  matter.  Viviana  never  can  be 
yours." 

''  She  shall  be,  nevertheless,"  muttered  Catesby,  "  and 


THE  DISCOVERY.  197 

before  many  hours  have  elapsed, — if  not  by  her  own  free 
■will,  by  force.  I  have  ever  shown  myself  obedient  to 
your  commands,  father,"  he  added  aloud,  "and  I  shall 
not  transgress  them  now." 

«  Heaven  keep  you  in  this  disposition,  my  dear  son !  " 
exclaimed  Garnet,  with  a  look  of  distrust :  "  and  let  me 
recommend  you  to  remove  yourself  as  soon  as  possible 
out  of  the  way  of  temptation." 

Catesby  muttered  an  affirmative,  and  taking  Garnet  in 
his  arms,  conveyed  him  carefully  to  his  own  chamber, 
and  placing  him  on  a  couch,  examined  his  wounds,  which 
were  not  so  serious  as  either  he  or  the  sufferer  imagined, 
and  with  no  despicable  skill — for  the  experiences  of  a 
soldier's  life  had  given  him  some  practice — bandaged  his 
broken  arm,  and  fomented  his  bruises. 

This  done.  Garnet  felt  so  much  easier,  that  he  entreated 
Catesby  to  send  Viviana  to  him,  and  to  make  prepa- 
rations for  his  own  immediate  departure.  Feigning 
acquiescence,  Catesby  quitted  the  room,  but  with  no  in- 
tention of  complying  with  the  request.  Not  a  moment 
he  felt  must  be  lost  if  he  would  execute  his  dark  design, 
and,  after  revolving  many  wild  expedients,  an  idea  oc- 
curred to  him.  It  was  to  lure  Viviana  to  the  cave  where 
Father  Oldcorne  was  concealed ;  and  he  knew  enough  of 
the  pliant  disposition  of  the  latter  to  be  certain  he  would 
assent  to  his  scheme.  No  sooner  did  this  plan  occur  to 
him  than  he  hurried  to  the  cell,  and  found  the  priest,  as 
Chetham  had  stated.  As  he  had  foreseen,  it  required 
little  persuasion  to  induce  Oldcorne  to  lend  his  assistance 
to  the  forced  marriage,  and  he  only  feared  the  decided 
opposition  they  should  encounter  from  Viviana. 

"Fear  nothing,  then,  father,"  said  Catesby;  "in  this 
solitary  spot  no  one  will  hear  her  cries.  Whatever  re- 
sistance she  may  make,  perform  the  ceremony,  and  leave 
the  consequences  to  me." 

« The  plan  is  desperate,  my  son,"  returned  Oldcorne, 
"  but  so  are  our  fortunes.  And,  as  Viviana  will  not  hear 
reason,  we  have  no  alternative.    You  swear  that  if  you 


198  GUY  FA^VKES. 

are  once  wedded  to  her,  all  her  possessions  shall  be  de- 
voted to  the  furtherance  of  the  great  cause." 

«  All,  father— I  swear  it,"  rejoined  Catesby,  fervently. 

«  Enough,"  replied  Oldcorne.     "  The  sooner  it  is  done, 
the  better." 

It  was  then  agreed  between  them  that  the  plan  least 
likely  to  excite  suspicion  would  be  for  Oldcorne  to  pro- 
ceed to  the  Hall,  and  under  some  plea  prevail  upon  Viviana  f- 
to  return  with  him  to  the  cave.  Acting  upon  this  arrange- 
ment, they  left  the  cell  together,  shaping  their  course 
under  the  trees  to  avoid  observation;  and  while  Old- 
corne repaired  to  the  Hall,  Catesby  proceeded  to  the 
stable,  and  saddling  the  only  steed  left,  rode  back  to  the 
cave,  and  concealing  the  animal  behind  the  brushwood, 
entered  the  excavation.  Some  time  elapsed  before  the 
others  arrived,  and  as  in  his  present  feverish  state  of 
mind  moments  appeared  ages,  the  suspense  was  almost 
intolerable.  At  length,  he  heard  footsteps  approaching, 
and,  with  a  beating  heart,  distinguished  the  voice  of 
Viviana.  The  place  was  buried  in  profound  darkness; 
but  Oldcorne  struck  a  light,  and  set  fire  to  a  candle  in  a 
lantern.  The  feeble  glimmer  diffused  by  it  was  not  suf- 
ficient to  penetrate  the  recesses  of  the  cavern  ;  and  Cates- 
by, who  stood  at  the  farther  extremity,  was  completely 
sheltered  from  observation. 

«  And  now,  father,"  observed  Viviana,  seating  herself 
with  her  back  towards  Catesby,  upon  the  stone  bench 
once  used  by  the  unfortunate  prophetess,  "  I  would  learn 
the  communication  you  desire  to  make  to  me.  It  must 
be  something  of  importance  since  you  would  not  disclose 
it  at  the  Hall." 

« It  is,  daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne,  who  could  scarcely 
conceal  his  embarrassment.  "  I  have  brought  you  hither 
where  I  am  sure  we  shall  be  uninterrupted,  to  confer 
with  you  on  a  subject  nearest  my  heart.  Your  lamented 
father  being  taken  from  us,  I,  as  his  spiritual  adviser, 
aware  of  his  secret  wishes  and  intentions,  conceive  my- 
self entitled  to  assume  his  place." 


THE  DISCOVERY.  199 

"  I  consider  you  in  the  light  of  a  father,  dear  sir,"  re- 
plied Viviana,  "  and  will  follow  your  advice  as  implicitly 
as  I  would  that  of  him  I  have  lost." 

"  Since  I  find  you  so  tractable,  child,"  returned  Old- 
corne,  reassured  by  her  manner,  "  I  will  no  longer  hesi- 
tate to  declare  the  motive  I  had  in  bringing  you  hither. 
You  will  recollect  that  I  have  of  late  strongly  opposed 
your  intention  of  retiring  to  a  convent." 

"  I  know  it,  father,"  interrupted  Viviana  ;  "  but " 

"  Hear  me  out,"  continued  Oldcorne ;  "  recent  events 
have  strengthened  my  disapproval  of  the  step.  You  are 
now  called  upon  to  active  duties,  and  must  take  your 
share  in  the  business  of  life, — must  struggle  and  suffer 
like  others, — and  not  shrink  from  the  burthen  imposed 
upon  you  by  Heaven." 

"I  do  not  shrink  from  it,  father,"  replied  Viviana; 
« and  if  I  were  equal  to  the  active  life  you  propose,  I 
would  not  hesitate  to  embrace  it,  but  I  feel  I  should  sink 
under  it." 

"  Not  if  you  had  one  near  you  who  could  afford  you 
that  support  which  feeble  woman  ever  requires,"  returned 
Oldcorne. 

"  What  mean  you,  father  ?  "  inquired  Viviana,  fixing 
her  dark  eyes  full  upon  him. 

"  That  you  must  marry,  daughter,"  returned  Oldcorne, 
*'  unite  yourself  to  some  worthy  man,  who  will  be  to  you 
what  I  have  described." 

"  And  was  it  to  tell  me  this  that  you  brought  me  here  ?  " 
asked  Viviana,  in  a  slightly  offended  tone. 

"  It  was,  daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne ;  "  but  I  have  not 
yet  done.  It  is  not  only  needful  you  should  marry,  but 
your  choice  must  be  such  as  I,  who  represent  your  father, 
and  have  your  welfare  thoroughly  at  heart,  can  approve." 

''  You  can  find  me  a  husband,  I  doubt  not  ?  "  remarked 
Viviana,  coldly. 

"  I  have  already  found  one,"  returned  Oldcorne :  "  a 
gentleman  suitable  to  you  in  rank,  religion,  years, — for 
your  husband  should  be  older  than  yourself,  Viviana." 


200  GtUY  FAWKES. 

"  I  will  not  affect  to  misunderstand  you,  father,"  she 
replied  ;  "you  mean  Mr.  Catesby." 

"  You  have  guessed  aright,  dear  daughter,"  rejoined 
Oldcorne. 

"  I  thought  I  had  made  myself  sufficiently  intelligible 
on  this  point  before,  father,"  she  returned. 

"  True,"  replied  Oldcorne  ;  "  but  you  are  no  longer,  as 
I  have  just  labored  to  convince  you,  in  the  same  position 
you  were  when  the  subject  was  formerly  discussed." 

"To  prevent  further  misunderstanding,  father,"  re- 
joined Viviana,  "  I  now  tell  you,  that  in  whatever  posi- 
tion I  may  be  placed,  I  will  never,  under  any  circum- 
stances, wed  Mr.  Catesby." 

"  What  are  your  objections  to  him,  daughter  ?  "  asked 
Oldcorne. 

"  They  are  numberless,"  replied  Viviana  ;  "  but  it  is 
useless  to  particularize  them.  I  must  pray  you  to 
change  the  conversation,  or  you  will  compel  me  to  quit 
you." 

"  Nay,  daughter,  if  you  thus  obstinately  shut  your  ears 
to  reason,  I  must  use  very  different  language  towards  you. 
Armed  with  parental  authority,  I  shall  exact  obedience  to 
my  commands." 

"  1  cannot  obey  you,  father,"  replied  Viviana,  bursting 
into  tears, — "  indeed,  indeed  I  cannot.  My  heart,  I  have 
already  told  you,  is  another's." 

"  He  who  has  robbed  you  of  it  is  a  heretic,"  rejoined 
Oldcorne,  sternly,  "  and  therefore  your  union  with  him 
is  out  of  the  question.  Promise  me  you  will  wed  Mr. 
Catesby,  or,  in  the  name  of  your  dead  father,  I  will  in- 
voke a  curse  upon  your  head.     Promise  me,  I  say." 

"  Never,"  replied  Viviana,  rising.  "  My  father  would 
never  have  enforced  my  compliance,  and  I  dread  no  curse 
thus  impiously  pronounced.  You  are  overstepping  the 
bounds  of  your  priestly  office,  sir.     Farewell." 

As  she  moved  to  depart,  a  strong  grasp  was  laid  on  her 
arm,  and  turning,  she  beheld  Catesby. 

"  You  here,  sir  ?  "  she  cried,  in  great  alarm. 


THE  DISCOVERY.  2Ul 

"  Ay,"  replied  Catesby.  "  At  last  you  are  in  my  power, 
Viviana." 

"  I  would,  fain  misunderstand  you,  sir,"  she  rejoined, 
trembling ;  "  but  your  looks  terrify  me.  You  mean  no 
violence  ?  " 

"I  mean  that  Father  Oldcorne  shall  wed  us, — and  that 
too  without  a  moment's  delay,"  replied  Catesby,  sternly. 

«  Monster  !  "  shrieked  Viviana,  "  you  will  not, — dare 
not  commit  this  foul  offense.  And  if  you  dare.  Father 
Oldcorne  will  not  assist  you.  Ah  !  what  means  that  sign  ? 
I  camiot  be  mistaken  in  you,  father  ?  You  cannot  be  act- 
ing in  concert  with  this  wicked  man  ?  Save  me  from 
him ! — save  me." 

But  the  priest  kept  aloof,  and  taking  a  missal  from  his 
vest,  hastily  turned  over  the  leaves.  Viviana  saw  that 
her  appeal  to  him  was  vain. 

"  Let  me  go  !  "  she  shrieked,  struggling  with  Catesby. 
«  You  cannot  force  me  to  wed  you  whether  I  will  or  not ; 
and  I  will  die  rather  than  consent.  Let  me  go,  I  say  ? 
Help ! — help  !  "  And  she  made  the  cavern  ring  with  her 
screams. 

"  Heed  her  not,  father,"  shouted  Catesby,  who  still  held 
her  fast,  "  but  proceed  with  the  ceremony." 

Oldcorne,  however,  appeared  irresolute,  and  Viviana 
perceiving  it,  redoubled  her  cries. 

"  This  will  be  no  marriage,  father,"  she  said,  "  even  if 
you  proceed  with  it.  I  will  protest  against  it  to  all  the 
world,  and  you  will  be  deprived  of  your  priestly  office  for 
your  share  in  so  infamous  a  transaction." 

"You  will  think  otherwise  anon,  daughter,"  replied 
Oldcorne,  advancing  towards  them  with  the  missal  in  his 
hand. 

"  If  it  be  no  marriage,"  observed  Catesby,  significantly, 
« the  time  will  come  when  you  may  desire  to  have  the 
ceremony  repeated." 

"  Mr.  Catesby,"  cried  Viviana,  altering  her  manner,  as 
if  she  had  taken  a  sudden  resolution,  «  one  word  before 
you  proceed  with  your  atrocious  purpose,  which  must  end 


202  GUY  FAWKES, 

in  misery  to  us  all.  There  are  reasons  why  you  can  never 
wed  me." 

"  Ha ! "  exclaimed  Catesby,  starting. 

"  Is  it  so,  my  son  ?  "  asked  Oldcorne,  uneasily. 

"  Pshaw ! "  exclaimed  Catesby.  "  She  knows  not  what 
she  says.     Proceed,  father." 

"  I  have  proofs  that  will  confound  you,"  cried  Viviana, 
breaking  from  him.  And  darting  towards  the  light,  she 
took  from  her  bosom  the  packet  given  her  by  Guy  Fawkes, 
and  tore  it  open.  A  letter  was  within  it,  and  a  minia- 
ture. 

Opening  the  letter,  she  cast  her  eye  rapidly  over  its 
contents,  and  then  looking  up,  exclaimed  in  accents  of  de- 
lirious joy,  "  Saved  !  saved  !  Father  Oldcorne,  this  man 
is  married  already." 

Catesby,  who  had  watched  her  proceedings  in  silent  as- 
tonishment, and  was  now  advancing  towards  her,  recoiled 
as  if  a  thunderbolt  had  fallen  at  his  feet. 

"  Can  this  be  true  ?  "  cried  the  priest,  in  astonishment. 

"  Let  your  own  eyes  convince  you,"  rejoined  Viviana, 
handing  him  the  letter. 

"I  am  satisfied,"  returned  Oldcorne,  after  he  had 
glanced  at  it.  "  We  have  both  been  spared  the  commis- 
sion of  a  great  crime.  Mr.  Catesby,  it  appears  from  this 
letter  that  you  have  a  wife  living  in  Spain." 

"  It  is  useless  to  deny  it,"  replied  Catesby.  "  But,  as 
you  were  ignorant  of  the  matter,  the  offense  (if  any) 
would  have  lain  wholly  at  my  door  ;  nor  should  I  have 
repented  of  it,  if  it  had  enabled  me  to  achieve  the  object  I 
have  in  view." 

"  Thank  Heaven  it  has  gone  no  further !  "  exclaimed 
Oldcorne.  "Daughter,  I  humbly  entreat  your  forgive- 
ness." 

"  How  came  that  packet  in  your  possession  ? "  de- 
manded Catesby  fiercely  of  Viviana. 

"  It  was  given  me  by  Guy  Fawkes,"  she  replied. 

"  Guy  Fawkes !  "  exclaimed  Catesby.  "  Has  he  be- 
trayed his  friend  ?  " 


THE  DISCOVERY.  203 

«  He  has  proved  himself  yovir  best  friend,  by  prevent- 
ing you  from  committing  a  crime,  which  would  have 
entailed  wretchedness  on  yourself  and  me,"  returned 
Viviana. 

"  I  have  done  with  him,  and  with  all  of  you,"  cried 
Catesby,  with  a  fierce  glance  at  Oldcorne.  "  Henceforth, 
pursue  your  projects  alone.  You  shall  have  no  further 
assistance  from  me.  I  will  serve  the  Spaniard.  English- 
men are  not  to  be  trusted." 

So  saying,  he  rushed  out  of  the  cavern,  and  seeking  his 
horse,  mounted  him,  and  rode  off  at  full  speed. 

"  How  shall  I  obtain  your  forgiveness  for  my  conduct 
in  this  culpable  affair,  dear  daughter?"  said  Oldcorne, 
with  an  imploring  look  at  Viviana. 

"  By  joining  me  in  thanksgivings  to  the  Virgin  for  my 
deliverance,"  repUed  Viviana,  prostrating  herself  before 
the  stone  cross. 

Oldcorne  knelt  beside  her,  and  they  continued  for  some 
time  in  earnest  prayer.  They  then  arose,  and  quitting 
the  cave,  proceeded  to  the  Hall. 


204  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  DEPARTURE  FROM  THE  HALL. 

Guy  Fawkes  was  as  much  surprised  to  hear  of  the 
sudden  departure  of  Catesby  as  he  was  concerned  at  the 
cause ;  but  he  still  thought  it  probable  he  would  return. 
In  this  expectation,  however,  he  was  disappointed.  The 
day  wore  on,  and  no  one  came.  The  uncertainty  in 
which  Fawkes  was  kept,  added  to  his  unwillingness  to 
leave  Garnet,  still  detained  him,  in  spite  of  the  risk  he 
ran,  at  the  Hall ;  and  it  was  only  when  urged  by  Viviana 
that  he  began  seriously  to  reflect  whither  he  should  bend 
his  steps.  Towards  evening.  Garnet  was  so  much  better, 
that  he  was  able  to  sit  up,  and  he  passed  some  hours  in 
conference  with  Oldcorne. 

"  If  I  do  not  suffer  a  relapse,"  he  observed  to  the  latter, 
"I  will  set  out  with  Guy  Fawkes  to-morrow,  and  we  will 
proceed  by  easy  stages  to  London." 

"  I  cannot  but  approve  your  resolution,"  returned  Old- 
corne ;  "  for  though  so  long  a  journey  may  be  inconve- 
nient, and  retard  your  recovery,  yet  every  hour  you  re- 
main here  is  fraught  with  additional  peril.  I  will  accom- 
pany you.  We  shall  both  be  safer  in  the  capital ;  and 
perhaps  Viviana,  now  she  will  be  no  longer  exposed  to 
the  persecutions  of  Catesby,  will  form  one  of  the  party." 

"  I  should  not  wonder,"  replied  Garnet.  "  I  shall  be 
deeply  concerned  if  Catesby  has  really  abandoned  the 
enterprise.  But  I  cannot  think  it.  I  did  all  I  could  to 
dissuade  him  from  prosecuting  this  union,  knowing  how 
hopeless  it  was,  and  little  thinking  he  would  be  rash 
enough  to  seek  to  accomplish  it  by  force,  or  that  he  would 
find  an  assistant  in  you." 

"  Say  no  more  about  it,  father,  I  entreat  you,"  rejoined 
Oldcorne.    "  The  scheme  failed,  as  it  deserved  to  do  j  and 


When  Garnet  reached  the  door  of  the  chamber,  he  saw  Viviana  on  her 
knees  before  Guy  Fawkes.     Page  205.  Guy  Fawkes 


THE  DEPARTURE  FROM  THE  HALL.  205 

I  sincerely  repent  the  share  I  was  induced  by  Catesby's 
artful  representations  to  take  in  it.  If  we  have  lost  our 
leader  we  have  still  Guy  Fawkes,  who  is  a  host  in  him- 
self, and  as  true  as  the  steel  that  hangs  by  his  side." 

"  We  cannot  spare  Catesby,"  replied  Garnet.  "  With 
many  faults,  he  has  one  redeeming  quality,  courage.  I 
am  not  sorry  he  has  been  thwarted  in  his  present  scheme, 
as  if  he  returns  to  us,  as  I  doubt  not  he  will,  it  will  fix 
his  mind  steadily  on  the  one  object,  which  should  be  ever 
before  it.  Give  me  your  arm,  father.  I  am  glad  to  find 
I  can  walk,  though  feebly.  That  is  well,"  he  added,  as 
they  emerged  upon  the  gallery ;  "  I  shall  be  able  to  reach 
Viviana's  chamber  without  further  assistance.  Do  you 
descend,  and  see  that  Martin  Heydocke  is  on  the  watch." 

In  obedience  to  the  injunctions  of  his  superior,  Old- 
corne  went  in  search  of  Martin  Heydocke,  who  had  been 
stationed  in  the  courtyard  to  give  timely  notice  of  any 
hostile  approach  ;  but  not  finding  him  there,  he  proceeded 
towards  the  drawbridge.  Garnet,  meanwhile,  had  reached 
the  door  of  Viviana's  chamber,  which  was  slightly  ajar, 
and  he  was  about  to  pass  through  it,  when  he  perceived 
that  she  was  on  her  knees  before  Guy  Fawkes,  whom  she 
was  addressing  in  the  most  passionate  terms.  The  latter 
was  seated  at  a  table,  with  his  head  upon  his  hand,  in  a 
thoughtful  posture.  Surprised  at  the  sight,  and  curious 
to  hear  what  Viviana  could  be  saying,  Garnet  drew  back 
to  listen. 

"  When  you  quit  this  house,"  were  the  first  words  that 
caught  the  listener's  ear,  "  we  shall  never  meet  again ; 
and  oh  !  let  me  have  the  consolation  of  thinking  that,  in 
return  for  the  devoted  attachment  you  have  shown  me, 
and  the  dangers  from  which  you  have  preserved  me,  I 
have  preserved  you  from  one  equally  imminent.  Catesby, 
from  whatever  motive,  has  abandoned  the  conspiracy. 
Do  you  act  likewise,  and  the  whole  dreadful  scheme  will 
fall  to  the  ground." 

"  Catesby  cannot  abandon  it,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  He  is 
bound  hj  ties  that  no  human  power  can  sunder.    And, 


206  GUY  FAWKES. 

however  he  may  estrange  himself  from  us  now,  when  the 
time  for  action  arrives,  rest  assured  he  will  not  be 
absent." 

"  It  may  be  so,"  replied  Viviana ;  "  but  I  deny  that  the 
oath  either  he  or  you  have  taken  is  binding.  The  deed 
you  have  sworn  to  do  is  evil,  and  no  vow,  however  sol- 
emnly pronounced,  can  compel  you  to  commit  crime. 
Avoid  this  sin — avoid  further  connection  with  those  who 
would  work  your  undoing,  and  do  not  stain  your  soul 
with  guilt  from  which  it  will  never  be  cleansed." 

"  You  seek  in  vain  to  move  me,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes, 
firmly.  "  My  purpose  is  unalterable.  The  tempest  that 
clears  away  the  pestilence  destroys  many  innocent  lives, 
but  it  is  not  the  less  wholesome  on  that  account.  Our 
unhappy  land  is  choked  with  the  pestilence  of  heresy, 
and  must  be  freed  from  it,  cost  what  it  will,  and  suffer 
who  may.  The  wrongs  of  the  English  Catholics  imper- 
atively demand  redress ;  and,  since  it  is  denied  us,  we 
must  take  it.  Oppression  can  go  no  farther  ;  nor  endur- 
ance hold  out  longer.  If  this  blow  be  not  struck  we  shall 
have  no  longer  a  religion.  And  how  comes  it,  Viviana, 
that  you,  a  zealous  Catholic,  whose  father  perished  by 
these  very  oppressors,  and  who  are  yourself  in  danger 
from  them,  can  seek  to  turn  me  from  my  purpose  ?  " 

"  Because  I  know  it  is  wrongful,"  she  replied.  "  I  have 
no  desire  to  avenge  the  death  of  my  slaughtered  father, 
still  less  to  see  our  religion  furthered  by  the  dreadful 
means  you  propose.  In  his  own  due  season,  the  Lord 
will  redress  our  wrongs." 

"  The  Lord  has  appointed  me  one  of  the  ministers  of 
liis  vengeance,"  cried  Fawkes,  in  a  tone  of  enthusiasm. 

"  Do  not  deceive  yourself,"  returned  Viviana,  "  it  is  not 
by  Heaven,  but  by  the  powers  of  darkness,  that  you  are 
incited  to  this  deed.  Do  not  persevere  in  this  fatal 
course,"  she  continued,  clasping  her  hands  together,  and 
gazing  imploringly  in  his  face,  "do  not — do  not !  " 

Guy  Fawkes  continued  in  the  same  attitude  as  before, 


THE  DEPARTURE  FROM  THE  HALL.  207 

with  his  gaze  turned  upwards,  and  apparently  lost  in 
thought. 

"  Have  I  no  power  to  move  you  ?  "  cried  Viviana,  her 
eyes  streaming  with  tears. 

"  None  whatever,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes,  firmly. 

"  Then  you  are  lost,"  she  rejoined. 

"  If  it  is  Heaven's  will,  I  am,"  answered  Fawkes ;  "  but 
at  least  I  believe  I  am  acting  rightly." 

"  And  rest  assured  you  are  so,  my  son,"  cried  Garnet, 
throwing  open  the  door,  and  stepping  into  the  room.  "I 
have  overheard  your  conversation,  and  I  applaud  your 
resolution." 

"  You  need  have  no  fears  of  me,  father,"  replied  Fawkes. 
"  I  do  not  lightly  undertake  a  project ;  but  once  embarked 
in  it  nothing  can  turn  me  aside." 

"  In  this  case  your  determination  is  wisely  formed,  my 
son,"  returned  Garnet ;  "  and  if  Viviana  will  ever  give 
me  an  opportunity  of  fully  discussing  the  matter,  I  am 
sure  I  can  satisfy  her  you  are  in  the  right." 

"  I  will  discuss  it  with  you  whenever  you  think  proper," 
she  replied.  "  But  no  arguments  will  ever  convince  me 
that  your  project  is  approved  by  Heaven." 

"  Let  it  pass  now,  daughter,"  rejoined  Garnet ;  "  enough 
has  been  said  on  the  subject.  I  came  hither  to  tell  Guy 
Fawkes,  that  if  our  enemies  permit  us  to  pass  the  night 
without  molestation  (as  Heaven  grant  they  may !)  I  think 
I  shall  be  strong  enough  to  set  out  with  him  to-morrow, 
when  I  propose  we  should  journey  together  to  London." 

"  Agreed,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Father  Oldcorne  will  accompany  us,"  pursued  Garnet. 

"  And  I,  too,  will  go  with  you,  if  you  will  permit  me," 
said  Viviana.  "  I  cannot  remain  here ;  and  I  have  no 
further  fears  of  Mr.  Catesby.  Doctor  Dee  told  me  my 
future  fate  was  strangely  mixed  up  with  that  of  Guy 
Fawkes.  I  know  not  how  it  may  be,  but  I  will  not 
abandon  him  while  there  is  a  hope  to  cling  to." 

"  Viviana  Radcliffe,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes,  coldly, 
«  deeply  as  I  feel  the  interest  you  take  in  me,  I  think  it 


208  GUY  FAWKES. 

right  to  tell  you  that  no  efforts  you  can  use  will  shake 
me  from  my  purpose.  If  I  live,  I  will  execute  my  de- 
sign." 

"  While  I  live,  I  will  urge  you  to  it,"  remarked  Garnet. 

"And  while  J  live,  I  will  dissuade  you  from  it,"  added 
Viviana.     "  "We  shall  see  who  will  obtain  the  victory." 

"  We  shall,"  replied  Garnet,  smiling  confidently. 

"  Hear  me  further,"  continued  Viviana ;  "  I  do  not 
doubt  that  your  zeal  is  disinterested  ;  yet  still,  your  mode 
of  life,  and  the  difficulties  in  which  you  are  placed,  may 
not  unnaturally  influence  your  conduct.  That  this  may 
no  longer  be  the  case,  I  here  place  part  of  my  fortune  at 
your  disposal.  I  require  little  or  nothing  myself.  But 
I  would,  if  possible,  save  one  to  whom  I  owe  so  much, 
and  whom  I  value  so  much,  from  desti'uction." 

"  I  fully  appreciate  your  generosity— to  give  it  its  light- 
est term — Viviana,"  returned  Guy  Fawkes,  in  a  voice  of 
deep  emotion.  "  Under  any  circumstances  I  should  re- 
ject it — under  the  present,  I  do  so  the  more  positively, 
because  the  offer,  kind  as  it  is,  seems  to  imply  that  my 
poverty  leads  me  to  act  contrary  to  my  principles.  Gold 
has  no  power  over  me:  I  regard  it  as  dross;  and  when 
I  could  easily  have  won  it,  I  neglected  the  opportunity. 
As  no  reward  would  ever  induce  me  to  commit  an  action 
my  conscience  disapproved,  so  none  will  deter  me  from  a 
purpose  which  I  regard  as  my  duty." 

"  Enough,"  replied  Viviana,  sadly.  "  I  will  no  longer 
question  your  motives,  or  oppose  your  plan,  but  will  pray 
Heaven  to  open  your  eyes  to  the  truth." 

"  Your  conduct  is  in  all  respects  worthy  of  you,  daugh- 
ter," observed  Garnet,  kindly. 

"  You  have  rejected  one  offer,"  continued  Viviana,  look- 
ing at  Fawkes ;  "  but  I  trust  you  will  not  decline  that  I 
am  about  to  propose  to  you." 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  asked  Fawkes,  in  some  surprise. 

"It  is  that  I  may  be  permitted  to  regard  you  as  a 
father,"  replied  Viviana,  with  some  hesitation.  "  Having 
lost  my   own  father,  I  feel  I  need  some  protector,  and  I 


THE  DEPARTURE  FROM  THE  HALL.  209 

would  gladly  make  choice  of  you,  if  you  will  accept  the 
office." 

"  I  willingly  accede  to  your  request,  and  am  much  flat- 
tered by  it,  Viviana,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I  am  a  homeless 
man,  and  a  friendless,  and  the  affection  of  such  a  being 
as  yourself  will  fill  up  the  only  void  in  my  heart.  But  I 
am  wedded  to  the  great  cause.  I  can  never  be  more  to 
you  than  a  father." 

"  Kay,  I  ask  nothing  more,"  she  replied,  blushing  deeply. 

"  Having  thus  arranged  the  terms  upon  which  we 
shall  travel,"  observed  Garnet,  with  a  smile,  "  nothing  is 
needed  but  to  prepare  for  our  journey.  We  start  early 
to-morrow  morning." 

"  I  shall  be  ready  at  daybreak,"  replied  Viviana. 

"And  I  am  ready  now,"  added  Guy  Fawkes.  "In  my 
opinion,  we  run  great  risk  in  remaining  here  another 
night.     But  be  it  as  you  will." 

At  this  moment  they  were  interrupted  by  the  entrance 
of  Father  Oldcorne,  who  with  a  countenance  of  great 
alarm  informed  them  he  could  nowhere  find  Martin 
Heydocke. 

"  Do  you  suspect  any  treachery  on  his  part  ?  "  asked 
Garnet  of  Viviana. 

"I  have  always  found  him  trustworthy,"  she  answered  ; 
"and  his  father  was  my  father's  oldest  servant.  I  can- 
not think  he  would  betray  us.  At  the  same  time,  I  must 
admit  his  disappearance  at  this  juncture  looks  suspicious." 

"If  my  strength  were  equal  to  it,"  returned  Guy 
Fawkes,  "I  would  keep  watch  throughout  the  night; 
but  that  might  prevent  me  from  accompanying  you  to- 
morrow.    My  advice,  I  repeat,  is — to  set  out  at  once." 

This  opinion,  however,  was  overruled  by  Garnet  and 
Viviana,  who  did  not  think  the  danger  so  urgent,  and 
attributed  the  absence  of  JMartin  Heydocke  to  some  un- 
important cause.  Guy  Fawkes  made  no  further  remon- 
strance, and  it  was  agreed  they  should  start,  as  originally 
proposed,  at  daybreak. 

The  party  then  separated,  and  Viviana  wandered  alone 


210  GUY  FAWKES. 

over  the  old  house,  taking  a  farewell,  which  she  felt 
would  be  her  last,  of  every  familiar  object.  Few  things 
were  as  she  had  known  them,  but  even  in  their  present 
forlorn  state  they  were  dear  to  her ;  and  the  rooms  she 
trod,  though  dismantled,  were  the  same  she  had  occupied 
in  childhood. 

There  is  no  pang  more  acute  to  a  sensitive  nature  than 
that  occasioned  by  quitting  an  abode  or  spot  endeared  by 
early  recollections  and  associations,  to  which  we  feel  a 
strong  presentiment  we  shall  never  return.  Viviana 
experienced  this  feeling  in  its  full  force,  and  she  lingered 
in  each  room  as  if  she  had  not  the  power  to  leave  it.  Her 
emotions  at  length  became  so  overpowering,  that  to 
relieve  them  she  strolled  forth  into  the  garden.  Here, 
new  objects  awakened  her  attention,  and  recalled  happier 
times  with  painful  distinctness.  Twilight  was  fast  deep- 
ening, and,  viewed  through  this  dim  and  softened 
medium,  everything  looked  as  of  old,  and  produced  a 
tightening  and  stifling  sensation  in  her  breast,  that  noth- 
ing but  a  flood  of  tears  could  remove. 

The  flowers  yielded  forth  their  richest  scents,  and  the 
whole  scene  was  such  as  she  had  often  beheld  it  in  times 
long  ago,  when  sorrow  was  wholly  unknown  to  her.  Per- 
fumes, it  is  well  known,  exercise  a  singular  influence  over 
the  memory.  A  particular  odor  will  frequently  call  up 
an  event  and  a  long  train  of  circumstances  connected 
with  the  time  when  it  was  first  inhaled.  Without  being 
aware  whence  it  arose,  Viviana  felt  a  tide  of  recollections 
pressing  upon  her,  v/hich  she  would  have  willingly  re- 
pressed, but  which  it  was  out  of  her  power  to  control. 
Her  tears  flowed  abundantly,  and  at  length,  with  a  heart 
somewhat  lightened  of  its  load,  she  arose  from  the  bench 
on  which  she  had  thrown  herself,  and  proceeded  along  a 
walk  to  gather  a  few  flowers  as  memorials  of  the  place. 

In  this  way,  she  reached  the  further  end  of  the  garden, 
and  was  stooping  to  pluck  a  spray  of  some  fragrant  shrub, 
when  she  perceived  the  figure  of  a  man  behind  a  tree 
at  a  little  distance  from  her.    From  his  garb,  which  was 


THE  DEPARTURE  FROM  THE  HALL.  211 

that  of  a  soldier,  she  instantly  knew  he  was  an  enemy, 
and,  though  greatly  alarmed,  she  had  the  courage  not  to 
scream,  but  breaking  off  the  branch,  she  uttered  a  careless 
exclamation,  and  slowly  retraced  her  steps.  She  half 
expected  to  hear  that  the  soldier  was  following  her,  and 
prepared  to  start  off  at  full  speed  to  the  house ;  but, 
deceived  by  her  manner,  he  did  not  stir.  On  reaching 
the  end  of  the  walk,  she  could  not  resist  the  inclination 
to  look  back,  and,  glancing  over  her  shoulder,  perceived 
the  man  watching  her.  But  as  she  moved,  he  instantly 
withdrew  his  head. 

Her  first  step  on  reaching  the  house  was  to  close  and 
fasten  the  door ;  her  next  to  hasten  to  Guy  Fawkes's 
chamber,  where  she  found  him,  together  with  Garnet  and 
Oldcorne.  All  three  were  astounded  at  the  intelligence, 
agreeing  that  an  attack  was  intended,  and  that  a  large 
force  was,  in  all  probability,  concealed  in  the  garden, 
awaiting  only  the  arrival  of  night  to  surprise  and  seize 
them.  The  disappearance  of  the  younger  Heydocke  was 
no  longer  a  mystery.  He  had  been  secured  and  carried 
oft' by  the  hostile  party,  to  prevent  him  from  giving  the 
alarm.  The  emergency  was  a  fearful  one,  and  it  excited 
consternation  amongst  all  except  Guy  Fawkes,  who 
preserved  his  calmness. 

"  I  foresaw  we  should  be  attacked  to-night,"  he  said, 
"  and  I  am  therefore  not  wholly  unprepared.  Our  only 
chance  is  to  steal  out  unobserved  ;  for  resistance  would  be 
in  vain,  as  their  force  is  probably  numerous,  and  I  am  as 
helpless  as  an  infant,  while  Father  Garnet's  broken  arm 
precludes  any  assistance  from  him.  The  subterranean 
passage  leading  from  the  oratory  to  the  further  side  of 
the  moat  having  been  stopped  up  by  the  pursuivant  and 
his  band,  it  will  be  necessary  to  cross  the  drawbridge, 
and  as  soon  as  it  grows  sufficiently  dark,  we  must  make 
the  attempt.  We  have  no  horses,  and  must  trust  to  our 
own  exertions  for  safety.  Catesby  would  now  be  invalu- 
able. It  is  not  his  custom  to  desert  his  friends  at  the 
season  of  their  greatest  need." 


212  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Great  as  is  my  danger,"  observed  Viviana,  "  I  would 
rather,  so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  that  he  were  absent,  than 
owe  my  preservation  to  him.  I  have  no  fears  for  my- 
self." 

"  And  my  only  fears  are  for  you,"  rejoined  Fawkes. 

Half  an  hour  of  intense  anxiety  was  now  passed  by  the 
party.  Garnet  was  restless  and  uneasy.  Oldcorne  be- 
trayed his  agitation  by  unavailing  lamentations,  by  listen- 
ing to  every  sound,  and  by  constantly  rushing  to  the  win- 
dows to  reconnoiter,  until  he  was  checked  by  Fawkes,  who 
represented  to  him  the  folly  of  his  conduct.  Viviana, 
though  ill  at  ease,  did  not  allow  her  terror  to  appear,  but 
endeavored  to  imitate  the  immovable  demeanor  of  Guy 
Fawkes,  who  always  became  more  collected  in  proportion 
to  the  danger  by  which  he  was  threatened. 

At  the  expiration  of  the  time  above  mentioned,  it  had 
become  quite  dark,  and  desiring  his  companions  to  follow 
him,  Guy  Fawkes  drew  his  sword,  and  grasping  Viviana's 
hand,  led  the  way  down-stairs.  Before  opening  the  door, 
he  listened  intently,  and,  hearing  no  sound,  issued  cau- 
tiously forth.  The  party  had  scarcely  gained  the  center 
of  the  court,  when  a  call  ver  was  discharged  at  them,  which, 
though  it  did  no  damage,  served  as  a  signal  to  the  rest 
of  their  foes.  Guy  Fawkes,  who  had  never  relinquished 
his  hold  of  Viviana,  now  pressed  forward  as  rapidly  as 
his  strength  would  permit,  and  the  two  priests  followed. 
But  loud  shouts  were  raised  on  the  drawbridge,  and  it  was 
evident  it  was  occupied  by  the  enemy. 

Uncertain  what  to  do,  Guy  Fawkes  halted,  and  was 
about  to  return  to  the  house,  when  a  shout  from  behind  told 
him  their  retreat  was  intercepted.  In  this  dilemma  there 
was  nothing  for  it  but  to  attempt  to  force  a  passage  across 
the  drawbridge,  or  to  surrender  at  discretion ;  and  though 
Guy  Fawkes  would  not  at  other  seasons  have  hesitated  to 
embrace  the  former  alternative,  he  knew  that  his  strength 
was  not  equal  to  it  now. 

While  he  was  internally  resolving  not  to  yield  himself 
with  life,  and  supportiDg  Viviana,  who  clung  closely  to 


THE  DEPARTURE  FROM  THE  HALL.  213 

him,  the  clatter  of  hoofs  was  heard  rapidly  approaching 
along  the  avenue,  and  presently  afterwards  two  horse- 
men galloped  at  full  speed  toward  the  drawbridge.  The 
noise  had  likewise  attracted  the  attention  of  the  enemy ; 
who,  apprehensive  of  a  rescue,  prepared  to  stop  them. 
But  the  tremendous  pace  of  the  riders  rendered  this  im- 
possible. A  few  blows  were  exchanged,  a  few  shots  fired, 
and  they  had  crossed  the  drawbridge. 

"  Who  goes  there  ?  "  shouted  Guy  Fawkes,  as  the  horse- 
men approached  him. 

"  It  is  the  voice  of  Guy  Fawkes,"  cried  the  foremost, 
whose  tones  proclaimed  it  was  Catesby.  "  They  are  here," 
he  cried,  reining  in  his  steed. 

"  Where  is  Viviana  ?  "  vociferated  his  companion,  who 
was  no  other  than  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  Here — here,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes. 

With  the  quickness  of  thought,  the  young  merchant 
was  by  her  side,  and  in  another  moment  she  was  placed 
on  the  saddle  before  him,  and  borne  at  a  headlong  pace 
across  the  drawbridge. 

" Follow  me,"  cried  Catesbj^  "I  will  clear  a  passage 
for  you.  Once  across  the  drawbridge,  you  are  safe.  A 
hundred  yards  down  the  avenue,  on  the  right,  you  will 
find  a  couple  of  horses  tied  to  a  tree.     Quick !  quick !  " 

As  he  spoke,  a  shot  whizzed  past  his  head,  and  a  tu- 
multuous din  in  the  rear  told  that  their  pursuers  were  close 
upon  them.  Striking  spurs  into  his  steed,  Catesby  dashed 
forward,  and  dealing  blows  right  and  left,  cleared  the 
drawbridge  of  its  occupants,  many  of  whom  leaped  into 
the  moat  to  escape  his  fury.  His  companions  were  close 
at  his  heels,  and  got  over  the  bridge  in  safety. 

"  Fly  !— fly !  "  cried  Catesby, — "  to  the  horses — the 
horses  !     I  will  check  all  pursuit." 

So  saying,  and  while  the  others  flew  towards  the  avenue, 
he  faced  his  opponents,  and  making  a  desperate  charge 
upon  them,  drove  them  backwards.  In  this  conflict, 
though  several  shots  were  fired,  and  blows  aimed  at  him 
on  all  sides,  he  sustained  no  injury,  but  succeeded  in  de- 


214  GUY  FAWKES. 

fending  the  bridge  sufficiently  long  to  enable  his  friends 
to  mount. 

He  then  rode  off  at  full  speed,  and  found  the  party 
waiting  for  him  at  the  end  of  the  avenue.  Father  Old- 
corne  was  seated  on  the  same  steed  as  his  superior.  After 
riding  with  them  upwards  of  a  mile,  Humphrey  Chetham 
dismounted,  and  resigning  his  horse  to  Viviana,  bade  her 
farewell,  and  disappeared. 

"  And  now  to  London ! "  cried  Catesby,  striking  into  a 
road  on  the  right,  and  urging  his  steed  to  a  rapid  pace. 

"  Ay,  to  London ! — to  the  Parliament  House  !  "  echoed 
Fawkes,  following  him  with  the  others. 

END  OP  THE   FIRST  BOOK, 


THE  LAJNDING  OF  THE  POWDER.  215 


ISooU  tbc  Scconb* 

THE  DISCOVERY. 


The  next  point  to  be  considered  is  the  means  to  compass  and  work 
these  designs.  These  means  were  most  cruel  and  damnable  ;— by- 
mining,  and  by  thirty-six  barrels  of  powder,  having  crows  of  iron, 
stones,  and  wood,  laid  upon  the  barrels,  to  have  made  the  breach  the 
greater.  Lord  !  what  a  wind,  what  a  fire,  what  amotion  and  commo- 
tion of  earth  and  air  would  there  have  been  ! — Sir  Ediuard  Cok&s 
Sv^GCli  on  the  Trial  of  the  Conspirators  in  the  Gunpowder  Plot. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE     LANDING    OF     THE    POWDEE. 

TowAEDs  the  close  of  the  sixth  day  after  their  depart- 
ure from  Ordsall  Hall,  the  party  approached  the  capital. 
The  sun  was  setting  as  they  descended  Highgate  Hill, 
and  the  view  of  the  ancient,  and  then  most  picturesque 
city,  was  so  enchanting,  that  Viviana,  who  beheld  it  for 
the  first  time,  entreated  her  companions  to  pause  for  a 
few  minutes  to  allow  her  to  contemplate  it.  From  the 
spot  where  they  halted,  the  country  Avas  completely  open 
to  Clerkenwell,  and  only  a  few  scattered  habitations  lay 
between  them  and  the  old  gray  ramparts  of  the  city,  with 
their  gates  and  fortifications,  which  were  easily  discernible 
even  at  that  distance.  Above  them  rose  the  massive 
body  and  central  tower  of   Saint  Paul's  cathedral, — a 


216  GUY  FAWKES. 

structure  far  surpassing  that  which  has  succeeded  it, — 
while  amid  the  innumerable  gables,  pointed  roofs,  and 
twisted  chimneys  of  the  houses  sprang  a  multitude  of 
lesser  towers  and  spires,  lending  additional  beauty  to  the 
scene.  Viviana  was  enraptured,  and,  while  gazing  on  the 
prospect,  almost  forgot  her  sorrows.  Guy  Fawkes  and 
Catesby,  who  were  a  little  in  advance  of  the  others, 
turned  their  gaze  westward,  and  the  former  observed  to 
his  companion, 

"  The  sun  is  setting  over  the  Parliament  House.  The 
sky  seems  stained  with  blood.  It  looks  portentous  of 
what  is  to  follow." 

"  I  would  gladly  behold  the  explosion  from  this  hill,  or 
from  yon  heights,"  replied  Catesby,  pointing  towards 
Hampstead.  "  It  will  be  a  sight  such  as  man  has  seldom 
seen." 

"  I  shall  never  live  to  witness  it ! "  exclaimed  Guy 
Fawkes,  in  a  melancholy  tone. 

"  What !  still  desponding  ? "  returned  Catesby,  re- 
proachfully. "  I  thought,  since  you  had  fully  recovered 
from  your  wound,  you  had  shaken  off  your  fears." 

"  You  misunderstand  me,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I  mean 
that  I  shall  perish  with  our  foes." 

"  Why  so  ?  "  cried  Catesby.  "  There  will  be  plenty  of 
time  to  escape  after  you  have  fired  the  train." 

"  I  shall  not  attempt  it,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  in  a  somber 
voice.  "  I  will  abide  the  result  in  the  vault.  If  I  perish, 
it  will  be  a  glorious  death." 

"  Better  live  to  see  the  regeneration  of  our  faith,  and 
our  restoration  to  our  rights,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  But 
we  will  speak  of  this  hereafter.     Here  comes  Garnet." 

"  Where  do  you  propose  we  should  lodge  to-night  ?  " 
asked  the  latter,  riding  up. 

"  At  the  house  at  Lambeth,  where  the  powder  is  de- 
posited," returned  Catesby. 

"  Will  it  be  safe  ?  "  asked  Garnet,  uneasily. 

"  We  shall  be  safer  there  than  elsewhere,  father," 
replied  Catesby.     "  If  it  is  dark  enough  to-night,  Fawkes 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  POWDER.  217 

and  I  will  remove  a  portion  of  the  powder.  But  we  are 
losing  time.  We  must  pass  through  the  city  before  the 
gates  are  closed." 

In  this  suggestion  Garnet  acquiesced,  and  calling  to 
Viviana  to  follow  them, — for,  since  his  late  atrocious 
attemj)t,  Catesby  had  not  exchanged  a  word  or  look  with 
her,  but  during  the  whole  of  the  journey  kept  sedulously 
aloof, — the  whole  party  set  forward,  and  proceeding  at  a 
brisk  pace,  soon  reached  the  walls  of  the  city.  Passing 
through  Cripplegate,  they  shaped  their  course  towards 
London  Bridge.  Viviana  was  filled  with  astonishment  at 
all  she  saw  :  the  multitude  and  magnificence  of  the  shops, 
compared  with  such  as  she  had  previously  seen ;  the 
crowds  in  the  streets, — for  even  at  that  hour  they  were 
thronged ;  the  varied  dresses  of  the  passengers — the 
sober  garb  of  the  merchant,  contrasting  with  the  showy 
cloak,  the  preposterous  ruff,  swelling  hose,  plumed  cap, 
and  swaggering  gait  of  the  gallant  or  the  ruffler;  the 
brawls  that  were  constantly  occurring:  the  number  of 
signs  projecting  from  the  dwellings  ;  all  she  witnessed  or 
heard  surprised  and  amused  her,  and  she  would  willingly 
have  proceeded  at  a  slower  pace  to  indulge  her  curiosity, 
had  not  her  comj)anions  urged  her  onward. 

As  they  were  crossing  Eastcheap,  in  the  direction  of 
Crooked  Lane,  a  man  suddenly  quitted  the  footpath,  and, 
rushing  towards  Garnet,  seized  his  bridle,  and  cried, 

"  I  arrest  you.     You  are  a  Romish  priest." 

"  It  is  false,  knave,"  returned  Garnet.  "  I  am  as  good 
a  Protestant  as  thyself,  and  am  just  arrived  with  my 
companions  from  a  long  journey." 

"  Your  companions  are  all  rank  Papists,"  rejoined  the 
stranger.  "  You  yourself  are  Father  Garnet,  superior  of 
the  Jesuits,  and,  if  I  am  not  deceived,  the  person  next  you 
is  Father  Oldcorne,  also  of  that  order.  If  I  am  wrong 
you  can  easily  refute  the  charge.  Come  with  me  to  the 
council.  If  you  refuse,  I  will  call  assistance  from  the 
passengers." 

Garnet  saw  he  was  lost  if  he  did  not  make  an  immediate 


218  GUY  FAWKES. 

effort  at  self-preservation,  and  resolving  to  be  beforehand 
with  his  assailant,  he  shouted  at  the  top  of  his  voice, 

"  Help !  help  !  my  masters.  This  villain  would  rob  me 
of  my  purse." 

"  He  is  a  Romish  priest,"  vociferated  the  stranger.  « I 
call  upon  you  to  assist  me  to  arrest  him." 

While  the  passengers,  scarcely  knowing  what  to  make 
of  these  contradictory  statements,  flocked  round  them, 
Guy  Fawkes,  who  was  a  little  in  advance  of  Catesby,  rode 
back,  and  seeing  how  matters  stood,  instantly  drew  a 
petronel,  and  with  the  butt-end  felled  the  stranger  to  the 
ground.  Thus  liberated,  Garnet  struck  spurs  into  his 
steed,  and  the  whole  party  dashed  off  at  a  rapid  pace. 
Shouts  were  raised  by  the  bystanders,  a  few  of  whom 
started  in  pursuit,  but  the  speed  at  which  the  fugitives 
rode  soon  bore  them  out  of  danger. 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  London  Bridge,  and 
Viviana,  in  some  degree  recovered  from  the  fright  caused 
by  the  recent  occurrence,  ventured  to  look  around  her. 
She  could  scarcely  believe  she  was  crossing  a  bridge,  so 
completely  did  the  tall  houses  give  it  tlie  appearance  of 
a  street ;  and,  if  it  had  not  been  for  occasional  glimpses 
of  the  river  caught  between  the  openings  of  these  lofty 
habitations,  she  would  have  thought  her  companions  had 
mistaken  the  road.  As  they  approached  the  ancient  gate- 
way (afterwards  denominated  Traitor's  Tower),  at  the 
Southwark  side  of  the  bridge,  she  remarked  with  a 
shudder  the  dismal  array  of  heads  garnishing  its  spikes, 
and  pointing  them  out  to  Fawkes,  cried, 

"  Heaven  grant  yours  may  never  be  amongst  the 
number ! " 

Fawkes  made  no  answer,  but  dashed  beneath  the  low 
and  gloomy  arch  of  the  gate. 

Striking  into  a  street  on  the  right,  the  party  skirted 
the  walls  of  Saint  Saviour's  Church,  and  presently  drew 
near  the  Globe  theater,  above  which  floated  its  banner. 
Adjoining  it  was  the  old  Bear-garden — the  savage  in- 
mates of  which  made  themselves  sufficiently  audible. 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  POWDER.  219 

Garnet  hastily  pointed  out  the  first-mentionecl  place  of 
amusement  to  Viviana  as  they  passed  it,  and  her  reading 
having  made  her  well  acquainted  with  the  noble  dramas 
produced  at  that  unpretendmg  establishment — little  better 
than  a  barn  in  comparison  with  a  modern  playhouse, — 
she  regarded  it  with  deep  interest.  Another  theater — 
the  Swan — speedily  claimed  her  attention ;  and,  leaving 
it  behind,  they  came  upon  the  open  country. 

It  was  now  growing  rapidly  dark,  and  Catesby,  turning 
off  into  a  narrow  lane  on  the  right,  shouted  to  his  com- 
panions to  keep  near  him.  The  tract  of  land  they  were 
traversing  was  fiat  and  marshy.  The  air  was  damp  and 
unwholesome — for  the  swamp  had  not  been  drained  as  in 
later  times, — and  the  misty  exhalations  arising  from  it 
added  to  the  obscurity.  Catesby,  however,  did  not  relax 
his  pace,  and  his  companions  imitated  his  example.  An- 
other turn  on  the  right  seemed  to  bring  them  still  nearer 
the  river,  and  involved  them  in  a  thicker  fog. 

All  at  once  Catesby  stopped,  and  cried, 

"  We  should  be  near  the  house.  And  yet  this  fog 
perplexes  me.     Stay  here  while  I  search  for  it." 

"  If  you  leave  us,  we  shall  not  readily  meet  again,"  re- 
joined Fawkes. 

But  the  caution  was  unheeded,  Catesby  having  already 
disappeared.  A  few  moments  afterwards,  Fawkes  heard 
the  sound  of  a  horse's  hoofs  approaching  him ;  and,  think- 
ing it  was  Catesby,  he  hailed  the  rider. 

The  horseman  made  no  answer,  but  continued  to  ad- 
vance towards  them. 

Just  then  the  voice  of  Catesby  was  heard  at  a  little 
distance,  shouting,  "  I  was  right.     It  is  here." 

The  party  then  hastened  in  the  direction  of  the  cry, 
and  perceived  through  the  gloom  a  low  building,  before 
the  door  of  which  Catesby,  who  had  dismounted,  was 
standing. 

"  A  stranger  is  amongst  us,"  observed  Fawkes,  in  an 
undertone,  as  he  rode  up. 

"  Where  is  he  ?  "  demanded  Catesby,  hastily. 


220  Ginr  FAWKES. 

"  Here,"  replied  a  voice.  "  But,  fear  nothing.  I  am  a 
friend." 

"I  must  have  stronger  assurance  than  that,"  replied 
Catesby.     "  Who  are  you  ?  " 

"  Robert  Keyes,"  replied  the  other.  "  Do  you  not  know 
my  voice  ?  " 

"In  good  truth  I  did  not,"  rejoined  Catesby ;  "and  you 
have  spoken  just  in  time.  Your  arrival  is  most  opportune. 
But  what  brings  you  here  to-night  ?  " 

"  The  same  errand  as  yourself,  I  conclude,  Catesby," 
replied  Keyes.  "  I  came  here  to  see  that  all  was  in  safety. 
But,  who  have  you  with  you  ?  " 

"  Let  us  enter  the  house,  and  you  shall  learn,"  replied 
Catesby. 

With  this,  he  tapped  thrice  at  the  door  in  a  peculiar 
manner,  and  presently  alight  was  seen  through  the  win- 
dows, and  a  voice  from  witliin  demanded  who  knocked. 

"  Your  master,"  replied  Catesby. 

Upon  this,  the  door  was  instantly  unbarred.  After  a 
hasty  greeting  between  Catesby  and  his  servant,  whom 
he  addressed  as  Thomas  Bates,  tlie  former  inquired 
whether  aught  had  occurred  during  his  absence,  and  was 
answered  that,  except  an  occasional  visit  from  Mr.  Percy, 
one  of  the  conspirators,  no  one  had  been  near  the  house  ; 
everything  being  in  precisely  the  same  state  he  had 
left  it. 

"  That  is  well,"  replied  Catesby.  "  Now,  then,  to  dis- 
pose of  the  horses." 

All  the  party  having  dismounted,  their  steeds  were  led 
to  a  stable  at  the  back  of  the  premises  by  Catesby  and 
Bates,  while  the  others  entered  the  house.  It  was  a 
small,  mean-looking  habitation,  standing  at  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  river-side,  on  the  skirts  of  Lambeth  Marsh, 
and  its  secluded  situation  and  miserable  appearance  sel- 
dom induced  any  one  to  visit  it.  On  one  side  was  a  deep 
muddy  sluice  communicating  with  the  river.  Within,  it 
possessed  but  slight  accommodation,  and  only  numbered 
four  apartments.     One  of  the  best  of  these  was  assigned 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  POWDER.  £21 

to  Yiviana,  and  she  retired  to  it  as  soon  as  it  could  be 
prepared  for  her  reception.  Garnet,  who  still  carried  his 
arm  in  a  sling,  but  who  was  in  other  respects  almost  re- 
covered from  his  accident,  tendered  every  assistance  in 
his  power,  and  would  have  remained  with  her,  but  she 
entreated  to  be  left  alone.  On  descending  to  the  lower 
room,  he  found  Catesby,  who,  having  left  Bates  in  care 
of  the  horses,  produced  such  refreshments  as  they  had 
brought  with  them.  These  were  scanty  enough  ;  but  a 
few  flasks  of  excellent  wine  which  they  found  within  the 
house  made  some  amends  for  the  meager  repast.  Viviana 
was  solicited  by  Guy  Fawkes  to  join  them  ;  but  she  de- 
clined, alleging  that  she  was  greatly  fatigued,  and  about 
to  retire  to  rest. 

Their  meal  ended,  Catesby  proposed  that  they  should 
ascertain  the  condition  of  the  powder,  as  he  feared  it 
might  have  suffered  from  being  so  long  in  the  vault. 
Before  making  this  examination,  the  door  was  carefully 
barred ;  the  shutters  of  the  windows  closed ;  and  Guy 
Fawkes  placed  himself  as  sentinel  at  the  door.  A  flag 
beneath  the  grate,  in  which  a  fire  was  never  kindled,  was 
then  raised,  and  disclosed  a  flight  of  steps  leading  to  a 
vault  beneath.  Catesby  having  placed  a  light  in  a  lan- 
tern, descended  with  Keyes ;  but  both  Garnet  and  Old- 
corne  refused  to  accompany  them. 

The  vault  was  arched  and  lofty,  and,  strange  to  say, 
for  its  situation,  dry — a  circumstance  owing,  in  all  prob- 
ability, to  the  great  thickness  of  the  walls.  On  either  side 
were  ranged  twenty  barrels  filled  with  powder ;  and  at 
the  further  end  stood  a  pile  of  arms,  consisting  of  pikes, 
rapiers,  demi-lances,  petronels,  calivers,  corselets,  and 
morions.  Removing  one  of  the  barrels  from  its  station, 
Catesby  forced  open  the  lid,  and  examined  its  contents, 
which  he  found  perfectly  dry  and  uninjured. 

"  It  is  fit  for  use,"  he  observed,  with  a  significant  smile, 
as  he  exhibited  a  handful  of  the  powder  to  Keyes,  who 
stood  at  a  little  distance  with  the  lantern;  "if  it  will 
keep  as  well  in  the  cellar  beneath  the  Parliament  House, 


222  GUY  FAWKES. 

our  foes  will  soon  be  nearer  heaven  than  they  would 
ever  be  if  left  to  themselves." 

"When  do  you  propose  to  transport  it  across  the 
river?"  asked  Keyes. 

"  To-night,"  replied  Catesby,  "It  is  dark  and  foggy, 
and  fitting  for  the  purpose.  Bates  !  "  he  shouted ;  and  at 
the  call  his  servant  instantly  descended.  "  Is  the  wherry 
at  her  moorings  ?  " 

"  She  is,  your  worship,"  replied  Bates. 

"  You  must  cross  the  river  instantly,  then,"  rejoined 
Catesby,  "  and  proceed  to  the  dwelling  adjoining  the  Par- 
liament House,  which  we  hired  from  Ferris.  Here  is  the 
key.  Examine  the  premises, — and  bring  word  whether 
all  is  secure." 

Bates  was  about  to  depart,  when  Keyes  volunteering 
to  accompany  him,  they  left  the  house  together.  Having 
fastened  down  the  lid  of  the  cask,  Catesby  summoned 
Fawkes  to  his  assistance,  and  by  his  help  as  many  barrels 
as  could  be  safely  stowed  in  the  boat  were  brouglit  out  of 
the  vault.  More  than  two  hours  elapsed  before  Bates  re- 
turned. He  was  alone,  and  informed  them  that  all  was 
secure,  but  that  Keyes  had  decided  on  remaming  where 
he  was, — it  being  so  dark  and  foggy,  that  it  was  scarcely 
possible  to  cross  the  river. 

"I  had  some  difficulty  in  landing,"  he  added,  "  and  got 
considerably  out  of  my  course.  I  never  was  out  on  so 
dark  a  night  before." 

"  It  is  the  better  for  us,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  We  shall 
be  sure  to  escape  observation." 

In  this  opinion  Guy  Fawkes  concurred,  and  they  pro- 
ceeded to  transport  the  powder  to  the  boat,  which  was 
brought  up  the  sluice  within  a  few  yards  of  the  door. 
This  done,  and  the  barrels  covered  with  a  piece  of  tar- 
paulin, they  embarked,  and  Fawkes,  seizing  an  oar,  pro- 
pelled the  skiiC  along  the  narrow  creek. 

As  Bates  had  stated,  the  fog  was  so  dense  that  it  was 
wholly  impossible  to  steer  correctly,  and  Fawkes  was 
therefore  obliged  to  trust  to  chance  as  to  the  course  he 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  POWDER.  223 

took.  However,  having  fully  regained  his  strength,  he 
rowed  with  great  swiftness,  and,  as  far  as  he  could  judge, 
had  gained  the  raid-stream,  when,  before  he  could  avoid 
it,  he  came  in  violent  contact  with  another  boat,  overset- 
ting it,  and  plunging  its  occupants  in  the  stream. 

Disregarding  the  hints  and  even  menaces  of  Catesby, 
who  urged  him  to  proceed,  Fawkes  immediately  lay  upon 
his  oars,  and,  as  the  water  was  perfectly  smooth,  suc- 
ceeded, without  much  difficulty,  in  extricating  the  two 
men  from  their  perilous  situation.  Their  boat  having 
drifted  down  the  stream,  could  not  be  recovered.  The 
chief  of  these  personages  was  profuse  in  his  thanks  to 
his  deliverers,  whom  he  supposed  were  watermen,  and 
they  took  care  not  to  undeceive  him. 

"  You  may  rely  upon  my  gratitude,"  he  said ;  "  and 
when  I  tell  you  I  am  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  you  will  be 
satisfied  I  have  the  means  of  evincing  it." 

"  The  Earl  of  Salisbury  ! "  exclaimed  Catesby,  who  was 
seated  by  Fawkes,  having  taken  one  of  the  oars.  "  Is  it 
possible  ?  " 

"  I  have  been  on  secret  state  business,"  replied  the 
Earl,  "  and  did  not  choose  to  employ  my  own  barge.  I 
was  returning  to  Whitehall,  when  your  boat  struck  against 
mine." 

"It  is  our  bitterest  enemy,"  observed  Catesby,  in  an 
undertone,  to  Fawkes.  "Fate  has  delivered  him  into 
our  hands." 

"  What  are  you  about  to  do  ?  "  demanded  Fawkes,  ob- 
serving that  his  companion  no  longer  pulled  at  the  oar. 

"Shoot  him,"  replied  Catesby.  "Keep  still,  while  I 
disengage  my  petronel." 

"  It  shall  not  be,"  returned  Fawkes,  laying  a  firm  grasp 
upon  his  arm.     "  Let  him  perish  with  the  others." 

"  If  we  suffer  him  to  escape  now,  we  may  never  have 
such  a  chance  again,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  I  will  shoot 
him." 

"  I  say  you  shall  not,"  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  His  hour  is 
not  yet  come." 


224  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  "What  are  you  talking  about,  my  masters  ?  "  demanded 
the  Earl,  who  was  shivering  in  his  wet  garments, 

"Nothing,"  replied  Catesby,  hastily.  "I  will  throw 
him  overboard,"  he  whispered  to  Fawkes. 

"  Again  I  say,  you  shall  not,"  replied  the  latter. 

"  I  see  what  you  are  afraid  of,"  cried  the  Earl.  "  You 
are  smugglers.  You  have  got  some  casks  of  distilled 
Avaters  on  board,  and  are  afraid  I  may  report  you.  Fear 
nothing.  Land  me  near  the  palace,  and  count  upon  my 
gratitude." 

"  Our  course  lies  in  a  different  direction,"  replied 
Catesby,  sternly.  "  If  your  lordship  lands  at  all,  it  must 
be  where  we  choose." 

"But  I  have  to  see  the  King  to-night.  I  have  some 
important  papers  to  deliver  to  him  respecting  the  Pa- 
pists," replied  Salisbury. 

"  Indeed !  "  exclaimed  Catesby.  "  We  must,  at  least, 
have  those  papers,"  he  observed,  in  a  whisper,  to 
Fawkes. 

"  That  is  a  different  affair,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  They 
may  prove  serviceable  to  us." 

"My  lord,"  observed  Catesby,  "by  a  strange  chance 
you  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  Catholics.  You  will  be 
pleased  to  deliver  these  papers  to  us." 

"  Ah !  villains,  would  you  rob  me  ? "  cried  the  Earl. 
«  You  shall  take  my  life  sooner." 

"  We  will  take  both,  if  you  resist,"  replied  Catesby,  in 
a  menacing  tone. 

"  Nay,  then,"  returned  Salisbury,  attempting  to  draw 
his  sword,  "  we  will  see  who  Avill  obtain  tlie  mastery. 
"VVe  are  equally  matched.     Come  on  ;  1  fear  you  not." 

But  the  waterman  who  had  rowed  the  Earl  was  not  of 
equal  courage  with  his  employer,  and  refused  to  take  part 
in  the  conflict. 

"  It  Avill  be  useless  to  contend  with  us,"  cried  Catesby, 
relinquishing  the  oar  to  Fawkes,  and  springing  forward. 
"  I  must  have  those  papers,"  he  added,  seizing  the  Earl 
'b^  the  throatj  "  or  I  will  throw  you  overboar4." 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  POWDER.  225 

"  I  am  mistaken  in  you,"  returned  Salisbury  ;  "  you  are 
no  common  mariner." 

"  It  matters  not  wlio  or  wliat  I  am,"  rejoined  Catesby, 
fiercely.     "  Your  papers,  or  you  die." 

Finding  it  in  vain  to  contend  with  his  opponent,  the 
Earl  was  fain  to  yield,  and  reluctantly  produced  a  packet 
from  his  doublet,  and  delivered  it  to  him. 

"  You  will  repent  this  outrage,  villain,"  he  said. 

"Your  lordship  will  do  well  to  recollect  you  are  still  in 
my  power,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "One  thrust  of  my  sword 
will  wipe  off  some  of  the  injuries  you  have  inflicted  on 
our  suffering  party." 

"I  have  heard  your  voice  before,"  cried  Salisbury; 
"  you  shall  not  escape  me." 

"  Your  imprudence  has  destroyed  you,"  retorted  Cates- 
by, clutching  the  Earl's  throat  more  tightly,  and  shorten- 
ing his  sword,  with  the  intent  to  plunge  it  into  his  breast. 

"  Hold !  "  exclaimed  Fawkes,  grasping  his  arm,  and 
preventing  the  blow.  "  I  have  already  said  you  shall  not 
slay  him.  You  are  in  possession  of  his  papers.  What 
more  would  you  have  ?  " 

"His  life,"  replied  Catesby,  struggling  to  liberate  his 
arm. 

"  Let  him  swear  not  to  betray  us,"  rejoined  Fawkes. 
« If  he  refuses,  I  will  not  stay  your  hand." 

"  You  hear  what  my  companion  says,  my  lord,"  cried 
Catesby.  "Will  you  swear  to  keep  silence  as  to  what 
has  just  occurred  ?  " 

After  a  moment's  hesitation,  Salisbury  assented,  and 
Catesby  relinquished  his  grasp. 

During  this  time,  the  boat  had  drifted  considerably 
down  the  stream,  and,  in  spite  of  the  darkness,  Catesby 
noticed  with  some  uneasiness  that  they  were  approach- 
ing more  than  one  vessel.  The  Earl  of  Salisbury  also 
perceived  this,  and  raised  a  cry  for  help,  but  was  in- 
stantly checked  by  Catesby,  who  took  a  seat  beside  him, 
and  placing  the  point  of  his  rapier  at  his  breast,  swore  he 
would  stab  him  if  he  made  any  further  clamor. 


22f)  GUY  FAWKES. 

The  threat,  and  the  dangerous  propinquity  of  his  enemy, 
effectually  silenced  the  Earl,  and  Catesby  directed  Fawkes 
to  make  for  the  shore  as  quickly  as  he  could.  His  in- 
junctions were  obeyed,  and  Fawkes  plied  the  oars  with 
so  much  good-will,  that  in  a  few  minutes  the  wherry 
struck  against  the  steps,  which  projected  far  into  the 
water,  a  little  to  the  right  of  the  Star  Chamber,  precisely 
on  the  spot  where  Westminster  Bridge  now  stands. 

Here  the  Earl  and  his  companion  were  allowed  to 
disembark,  and  they  had  no  sooner  set  foot  on  land  than 
Guy  Fawkes  pushed  off  the  boat,  and  rowed  as  swiftly  as 
he  could  towards  the  center  of  the  stream.  He  then  de- 
manded of  Catesby  whether  he  should  make  for  the  Par- 
liament House,  or  return, 

"  I  scarcely  know  what  to  advise,"  replied  Catesby. 
"  I  do  not  think  the  Earl  will  attempt  pursuit.  And  yet 
I  know  not.  The  papers  we  have  obtained  may  be 
important.  Cease  rowing  for  a  moment,  and  let  us 
listen." 

Guy  Fawkes  complied,  and  they  listened  intently,  but 
could  only  hear  the  rippling  of  the  current  against  the 
sides  of  the  skiff. 

"  We  have  nothing  to  fear,"  observed  Catesby.  "  He 
will  not  pursue  us,  or  he  camiot  find  a  boat." 

As  he  spoke,  the  glimmer  of  torches  was  visible  on 
the  shore,  and  the  plunge  of  oars  into  the  water  con- 
vinced him  his  opinion  was  erroneous. 

"  What  course  shall  we  take  ?  "  inquired  Fawkes. 

"  I  care  not,"  replied  Catesby,  sullenly.  "  If  I  had  had 
my  own  way,  this  would  not  have  happened." 

"  Have  no  fears,"  replied  Fawkes,  rowing  swiftly  down 
the  stream.     "  We  shall  easily  escape." 

"  We  will  not  be  taken  alive,"  returned  Catesby,  seat- 
ing himself  on  one  of  the  barrels,  and  hammering  against 
the  lid  with  the  butt-end  of  his  petronel.  "  I  will  sooner 
blow  us  all  to  perdition  than  he  shall  capture  us." 

"You  are  right,"  replied  Fawkes.  "By  my  patron, 
Snint  James,  he  is  taking  the  same  course  as  ourselves." 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  POWDER.  227 

«  Well,  let  him  board  us,"  replied  Catesby.  "  I  am 
ready  for  him." 

"  Do  as  you  think  proper  if  the  worst  occurs,"  returned 
Fawkes.  "  But,  if  we  make  no  noise,  I  am  assured  we 
shall  not  be  perceived." 

With  this  he  ceased  rowing,  and  suffered  the  boat  to 
drop  down  the  stream.  As  ill-luck  would  have  it,  it 
seemed  as  if  the  hostile  bark  had  struck  completely  into 
their  track,  and,  aided  by  the  current,  and  four  sturdy 
rowers,  was  swiftly  approaching. 

"  The  Earl  will  be  upon  us  in  a  few  minutes,"  replied 
Catesby.  "  If  you  have  any  prayers  to  offer,  recite  them 
quickly,  for  I  swear  I  will  be  as  good  as  my  word." 

"  I  am  ever  prepared  for  death,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Ha ! 
we  are  saved  ?  " 

This  last  exclamation  was  occasioned  by  his  remarking 
a  large  barge,  towards  which  they  were  rapidly  drifting. 

"  What  are  you  about  to  do  ?  "  cried  Catesby. — "  Leap 
on  board  and  abandon  the  skiff,  together  with  its  con- 
tents ?  " 

"No,"  replied  Fawkes  ;  "  sit  still,  and  leave  the  rest  to 
me." 

By  this  time,  they  had  approached  the  barge,  which 
was  lying  at  anchor,  and  Guy  Fawkes,  grasping  at  a 
boat-hook,  fixed  it  in  the  vessel  as  they  passed,  and  drew 
their  own  boat  close  to  its  side — so  close,  in  fact,  that  it 
could  not  be  distinguished  from  it. 

The  next  moment,  the  chase  came  up,  and  they  dis- 
tinctly perceived  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  seated  in  the  stern 
of  the  boat,  holding  a  torch.  As  he  approached  the  barge, 
he  held  the  light  towards  it ;  but  the  skiff  being  on  the 
off-side,  entirely  escaped  notice.  When  the  chase  had 
got  to  a  sufficient  distance  to  be  out  of  hearing,  the  fugi- 
tives rowed  swiftly  in  the  contrary  direction. 

Not  judging  it  prudent  to  land,  they  continued  to  ply 
the  oars,  until  fatigue  compelled  them  to  desist,  and  they 
had  placed  some  miles  between  them  and  their  pursuers. 

"  Long  before  this,  the  Earl  must  have  given  up  the 


228  GUY  FAWKES. 

chase,"  observed  Catesby.  "  We  must  return  before  day- 
break, and  either  land  our  powder  near  the  Parliament 
House,  or  take  it  back  to  the  vault  at  Lambeth," 

"  We  shall  run  equal  risk  either  way,"  replied  Fawkes, 
"  and,  having  ventured  thus  far,  we  may  as  well  go 
through  with  it.     I  am  for  landing  at  Westminster." 

"  And  I,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  I  do  not  like  giving  up 
a  project  when  I  have  once  undertaken  it." 

"  You  speak  my  sentiments  exactly,"  returned  Fawkes. 
"  Westminster  be  it." 

After  remaining  stationary  for  about  an  hour,  they 
rowed  back  again,  and,  aided  by  the  stream,  in  a  short 
time  reached  their  destination.  The  fog  had  in  a  great 
degree  cleared  off,  and  day  began  to  break  as  they  ap- 
proached the  stairs  leading  to  the  Parliament  House. 
Though  this  was  not  what  they  desired,  inasmuch  as  the 
light  added  to  the  risk  they  would  have  run  in  landing 
the  powder,  it  enabled  them  to  ascertain  that  no  one  was 
on  the  watch. 

Running  swiftly  in  towards  a  sort  of  wharf,  protected 
by  a  roofed  building,  Catesby  leapt  ashore,  and  tied  the 
skiff  to  a  ring  in  the  steps.  He  then  desired  Fawkes  to 
hand  out  the  powder  as  quickly  as  he  could.  The  order 
was  promptly  obeyed,  and  in  a  few  minutes  several  barrels 
were  on  the  strand. 

"  Had  you  not  better  fetch  Keyes  to  help  us,  while  I 
get  out  the  rest  ?  "  observed  Fawkes. 

Catesby  assented,  and  hurrying  to  the  house,  found 
Keyes,  who  was  in  great  alarm  about  them.  He  instantly 
accompanied  the  other  to  the  wharf,  and  by  their  united 
efforts  the  powder  was  expeditiously  and  safely  removed. 


Fawkes  and  Catesby  soon  had  the  powder  safely  on  the  wharf.     Paj^e  228. 

Guy  Fawkes 


THE  TRAITOR.  £29 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE    TRAITOK. 

The  habitation,  to  which  the  powder  was  conveyed, 
adjoined,  as  has  ah-eady  been  stated,  the  Parhament  House, 
and  stood  at  the  soutliwest  corner  of  that  structure.  It 
was  a  small  building,  two  stories  high,  with  a  little  garden 
attached  to  it,  surrounded  by  lofty  walls,  and  belonged 
to  Whinneard,  the  keeper  of  the  royal  wardrobe,  by  whom 
it  was  let  to  a  person  named  Ferris.  From  the  latter  it 
was  hired  by  Thomas  Percy,  one  of  the  conspirators,  and 
a  relative  of  the  Earl  of  Xorthumberland, — of  whom  it 
will  be  necessary  to  speak  more  fully  hereafter, — for  the 
purpose  to  which  it  was  now  put. 

Having  bestowed  the  barrels  of  powder  carefully  in 
the  cellar,  and  fastened  the  door  of  the  house  and  the 
garden-gate  after  them,  the  trio  returned  to  the  boat,  and 
rowed  back  to  Lambeth,  where  they  arrived  without 
being  noticed.  They  then  threw  themselves  upon  the 
floor,  and  sought  some  repose  after  their  fatigue. 

It  was  late  in  the  day  before  they  awoke.  Garnet 
and  Oldcorne  had  been  long  astir  ;  but  Viviana  had  not 
quitted  her  chamber.  Catesby's  first  object  was  to  ex- 
amine the  packet  he  had  obtained  from  the  Earl  of  Salis- 
bury, and,  withdrawing  to  a  corner,  he  read  over  the 
papers  one  by  one  carefully. 

Guy  Fawkes  watched  his  countenance  as  he  perused 
them,  but  he  asked  no  questions.  Many  of  the  docu- 
ments appeared  to  have  little  interest,  for  Catesby  tossed 
them  aside  with  an  exclamation  of  disappointment.  At 
length,  however,  a  small  note  dropped  from  the  bundle. 
Catesby  picked  it  up,  opened  it,  and  his  whole  expression 
changed.     His  brow  grew  contracted  j  and,  springing  to 


230  GtJY  FAWKES. 

his  feet,  he  uttered  an  ejaculation  of  rage,  crying,  "  It  is 
as  I  suspected.     We  have  traitors  among  us." 

"  Whom  do  you  suspect  ?  "  cried  Fawkes. 

"  Tresham !  "  cried  Catesby,  in  a  voice  of  thunder, — 
« the  fawning,  wily,  lying  Tresham.  Fool  that  I  was  to 
league  him  with  us." 

"  He  is  your  own  kinsman,"  observed  Garnet. 

"  He  is,"  replied  Catesby ;  "  but  were  he  my  own 
brother  he  should  die.  Here  is  a  letter  from  him  to  Lord 
Mounteagle,  which  has  found  its  way  to  the  Earl  of  Salis- 
bury, hinting  that  a  plot  is  hatching  against  the  state, 
and  offering  to  give  him  full  information  of  it." 

"Traitor!  false,  perjured  traitor  ?"  cried  Fawkes.  "He 
must  die." 

"  He  shall  fall  by  my  hand,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  Stay  I 
a  plan  occurs  to  me.  He  cannot  be  aware  that  this  letter 
is  in  ray  possession.  I  will  send  Bates  to  bid  him  come 
hither.  We  will  then  charge  him  with  his  criminality, 
and  put  him  to  death." 

"  He  deserves  severe  punishment,  no  doubt,"  replied 
Garnet ;  "  but  I  am  unwilling  you  should  proceed  to  the 
last  extremities  with  him." 

"There  is  no  alternative,  father,"  replied  Catesby. 
"  Our  safety  demands  his  destruction." 

Garnet  returned  no  answer,  but  bowed  his  head  sor- 
rowfully upon  his  breast.  Bates  was  then  despatched 
to  Tresham ;  and  preparations  were  made  by  the  three 
lay  conspirators  for  executing  their  fell  design. 

It  was  agreed,  that  on  his  arrival,  Tresham  should  be 
seized  and  disarmed,  and  after  being  interrogated  by 
Catesby  touching  the  extent  of  his  treachery,  should  be 
stabbed  by  Guy  Fawkes.  This  being  resolved  upon,  it 
became  a  question  how  they  should  act  in  the  interim. 
It  w^as  possible  that,  after  the  loss  of  his  papers,  some 
communication  might  take  place  between  the  Earl  of 
Salisbury  and  Lord  Mounteagle,  and  through  the  latter 
with  Tresham.  Thus  prepared,  on  the  arrival  of  Bates, 
Tresham,  seeing  through  their  design,  iiistead  of  accom- 


THE  TRAITOR.  231 

panying  liira,  might  give  information  of  their  retreat  to 
the  officers.  The  contingency  was  by  no  means  improb- 
able ;  and  it  was  urged  so  strongly  by  Garnet,  that  Cates- 
by  began  to  regret  his  precipitancy  in  sending  the  mes- 
sage. Still,  his  choler  was  so  greatly  roused  against 
Tresham,  that  he  resolved  to  gratify  his  vengeance  at 
any  risk. 

"If  he  betrays  us,  and  brings  the  officers  here,  we 
shall  kiiow  how  to  act,"  he  remarked  to  Fawkes.  "  There 
is  that  below  which  \vill  avenge  us  on  them  all." 

"  True,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  But  I  trust  we  shall  not  be 
obliged  to  resort  to  it." 

Soon  after  this.  Bates  returned  with  a  message  from 
Tresham,  stating  that  he  would  be  at  the  rendezvous  at 
nightfall,  and  that  he  had  important  disclosures  to  make 
to  them.  He  desired  them,  moreover,  to  observe  the 
utmost  caution,  and  not  to  stir  abroad. 

"  He  may,  perhaps,  be  able  to  offer  an  explanation  of 
his  conduct,"  observed  Keyes. 

"  Impossible,"  returned  Catesb5^  "  But  he  shall  not 
die  without  a  hearing." 

"  That  is  all  I  desire,"  returned  Keyes. 

While  the  others  were  debating  upon  the  interro- 
gations they  should  put  to  Tresham,  and  further  ex- 
amining the  Earl  of  Salisbury's  papers.  Garnet  repaired 
to  Viviana's  chamber,  and  informed  her  what  was  about 
to  take  place.  She  was  filled  with  consternation,  and 
entreated  to  be  allowed  to  see  Guy  Fawkes  for  a  few 
moments  alone.  Moved  by  her  supplications.  Garnet 
complied,  and  presently  afterwards  Fawkes  entered  the 
room. 

"  You  have  sent  for  me,  Viviana,"  he  said.  "  What 
would  you  ?  " 

"  I  have  just  heard  you  are  about  to  put  one  of  your 
companions  to  death,"  she  replied.     "  It  must  not  be." 

"  Viviana  Radcliffe,"  returned  Fawkes,  "  by  your  own 
desire  you  have  mixed  yourself  up  with  my  fortunes.  I 
■svill  not  now  discuss  the  prudence  of  the  step  you  have 


232  (JUY  FAWKES. 

taken.  But  I  deem  it  necessary  to  tell  you,  once  for  all, 
that  any  attempts  to  turn  me  from  the  line  of  conduct  I 
have  marked  out  to  myself  will  fail.  Tresham  has  be- 
trayed us,  and  he   must  pay  the  penalty  of  his  treason." 

"  But  not  with  his  life,"  replied  Viviana.  "  Do  you  not 
now  perceive  into  what  enormities  this  fatal  enterprise 
will  lead  you  ?  It  is  not  one  crime  alone  that  you  are 
about  to  commit,  but  many.  You  constitute  yourselves  '; 
judges  of  your  companion,  and  without  allowing  him  to 
defend  himself,  take  his  life.  Disguise  it  as  you  may,  it  is 
assassination — cold-blooded  assassination." 

"  His  life  is  justly  forfeited,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes, 
sternly.  "  When  he  took  the  oath  of  secrecy  and  fidelity 
to  our  league,  he  well  knew  what  the  consequences  would 
be  if  he  violated  it.  He  has  done  so.  He  has  compromised 
our  safety.  Nay,  he  has  sold  us  to  our  enemies,  and 
nothing  shall  save  him." 

"If  this  is  so,"  replied  Viviana,  "how  much  better 
would  it  be  to  employ  the  time  now  left  in  providing  for 
your  safety,  than  in  contriving  means  of  vengeance  upon 
one,  who  will  be  sufficiently  punished  for  his  baseness  by 
his  own  conscience.  Even  if  you  destroy  him,  you  will 
not  add  to  your  own  security,  while  you  will  commit  a 
foul  and  needless  crime,  equal,  if  not  exceeding  in  atrocity 
that  you  seek  to  punish." 

"  Viviana,"  replied  Fawkes,  in  an  angry  tone,  "  in  an 
evil  hour,  I  consented  to  your  accompanying  me.  I  now 
repent  my  acquiescence.  But,  having  passed  my  word,  I 
cannot  retract.  You  waste  time,  and  exhaust  my  pa- 
tience and  your  own  by  these  unavailing  supplications. 
When  I  embarked  in  this  enterprise,  I  embraced  all  its 
dangers,  all  its  crimes  if  you  will,  and  I  shall  not  shrink 
from  them.  The  extent  of  Tresham's  treachery  is  not  yet 
known  to  us.  There  may  be — and  God  grant  it ! — ex- 
tenuating circumstances  in  his  conduct  that  may  save  his 
life.  But,  as  the  case  stands  at  present,  his  offense  ap- 
pears of  that  dye  that  nothing  can  wash  it  out  but  his 
blood." 


THE  TRAITOR.  233 

And  he  turned  to  depart. 

"  When  do  you  expect  this  wretched  man  ? "  asked 
Viviana,  arresting  him. 

"  At  nightfall,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Oh !  that  there  were  any  means  of  warning  him  of  his 
danger  !  "  she  cried. 

"There  are  none,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  fiercely, — "none 
that  you  can  adopt.  And  I  must  lay  my  injunctions  upon 
you  not  to  quit  your  chamber." 

So  saying,  he  retired. 

Left  alone,  Viviana  became  a  prey  to  the  most  agoniz- 
ing reflections.  Despite  the  strong,  and  almost  unac- 
countable interest  she  felt  in  Guy  Fawkes,  she  began  to 
repent  the  step  she  had  taken  in  joining  him,  as  calculated 
to  make  her  a  party  to  his  criminal  conduct.  But  this 
feeling  was  transient,  and  was  succeeded  by  a  firmer  de- 
termination to  pursue  the  good  work  she  had  undertaken. 

"  Though  slight  success  has  hitherto  attended  my  ef- 
forts," she  thought,  "  that  is  no  reason  why  I  should  relax 
them.  The  time  is  arrived  when  I  may  exert  a  beneficial 
influence  over  him  ;  and  it  may  be,  that  what  occurs  to- 
night will  prove  the  first  step  towards  complete  triumph. 
In  any  case,  nothing  shall  be  wanting  to  prevent  the  com- 
mission of  the  meditated  atrocity." 

With  this,  she  knelt  down  and  prayed  long  and  fer- 
vently, and  arose  confirmed  and  strengthened  in  her 
resolution. 

Meanwhile,  no  alteration  had  taken  place  in  the  pur- 
poses of  the  conspirators.  Night  came,  but  with  it  came 
not  Tresham.  Catesby,  who,  up  to  this  time  had  managed 
to  restrain  his  impatience,  now  arose,  and  signified  his 
intention  of  going  in  search  of  him,  and  was  with  difii- 
culty  prevented  from  carrying  his  threat  into  execution 
by  Guy  Fawkes,  who  represented  the  folly  and  risk  of 
such  a  course. 

"  If  he  comes  not  before  midnight,  we  shall  know  what 
to  think,  and  how  to  act,"  he  observed ;  "  but  till  then  let 
us  remain  tranquil." 


234  GUY  FAWKES. 

Keyes  and  the  others  addmg  their  persuasions  to  those 
of  Fawkes,  Catesby  sat  sullenly  down,  and  a  profound 
silence  ensued.  In  this  way,  some  hours  were  passed, 
when,  just  at  the  stroke  of  midnight,  Viviana  descended 
from  her  room,  and  appeared  amongst  them.  Her  coun- 
tenance was  deathly  pale;  and  she  looked  anxiously  around 
the  assemblage.  All,  however,  with  the  exception  of 
Fawkes,  avoided  her  gaze. 

"  Is  he  come  ?  "  she  exclaimed  at  length.  "  I  have 
listened  intently,  but  have  heard  nothing.  You  cannot 
have  murdered  him.  And  yet  your  looks  alarm  me. 
Father  Garnet,  answer  me, — is  the  deed  done  ?  " 

"  No,  my  daughter,"  replied  Garnet,  sternly. 

"  Then  he  has  escaped  !  "  she  cried  joyfully.  "  You 
expected  him  at  nightfall." 

"  It  is  not  yet  too  late,"  replied  Fawkes,  in  a  somber 
tone  ;  "  his  death  is  only  deferred." 

"  Oh !  do  not  say  so,"  she  cried,  in  a  voice  of  agony. 
"  I  hoped  you  had  relented." 

At  this  moment  a  peculiar  knock  was  heard  at  the  door. 
It  was  thrice  repeated,  and  the  strokes  vibrated,  though 
with  different  effect,  through  every  bosom. 

"  He  is  here,"  cried  Catesby,  rising. 

"Viviana,  go  to  your  chamber,"  commanded  Guy 
Fawkes,  grasping  her  hand,  and  leading  her  towards  the 
stairs. 

But  she  resisted  his  efforts,  and  fell  on  her  knees. 

"  I  will  not  go,"  she  cried,  in  a  supplicating  tone,  "  un- 
less you  will  spare  this  man's  life." 

"  I  have  already  told  you  my  fixed  determination,"  re- 
joined Fawkes,  fiercely.  "  If  you  will  not  retire  of  your 
own  free  will,  I  must  force  you." 

"If  you  attempt  it,  I  will  scream,  and  alarm  your 
victim,"  she  replied.  "Mr.  Catesby,"  she  added,  "have 
my  prayers,  my  entreaties,  no  weight  with  you  ?  Will 
you  not  grant  me  his  life  ?  " 

"  No ! "  replied  Catesby,  fiercely.  "  She  must  be 
silenced,"  he  added,  with  a  significant  look  at  Fawkes. 


THE  TRAITOR.  235 

"  She  shall,"  replied  the  latter,  drawing  his  poniard. 
« Viviana ! "  he  continued,  in  a  voice,  and  with  a  look 
that  left  no  doubt  as  to  his  intentions,  "  do  not  compel  me 
to  be  your  destroyer." 

As  he  spoke,  the  knocking  was  repeated,  and  Viviana 
uttered  a  prolonged  and  piercing  cry.  Guy  Fawkes  raised 
his  weapon,  and  was  about  to  strike,  but  his  resolu- 
tion failed  him,  and  his  arm  dropped  nerveless  to  his 
side. 

"  Your  better  angel  has  conquered  ! "  she  cried,  clasping 
his  knees. 

While  this  was  passing,  the  door  was  thrown  open  by 
Catesby,  and  Tresham  entered  the  room. 

"  What  means  this  outcry  ? "  he  asked,  looking  round 
in  alarm.  "  Ah !  what  do  I  see  ?  Viviana  Radcliffe 
here  !     Did  she  utter  the  scream  ?  " 

«  She  did,"  replied  Viviana,  rising,  "  and  she  hoped  to 
warn  you  by  it.     But  you  were  led  on  by  your  fate." 

"  Warn  me  from  what  ?  "  ejaculated  Tresham,  starting. 
"  I  am  among  friends." 

"  You  are  among  those  who  have  resolved  upon  your 
death,"  replied  Viviana. 

«  Ah ! "  exclaimed  Tresham,  making  an  effort  to  gain 
the  door,  and  draw  his  sword. 

In  both  attempts,  however,  he  was  foiled,  for  Catesby 
intercepted  him,  while  Fawkes  and  Keyes  flung  them- 
selves upon  him,  and  binding  his  arms  together  with  a 
sword-belt,  forced  him  into  a  chair. 

"Of  what  am  I  accused?"  he  demanded,  in  a  voice 
tremulous  with  rage  and  terror. 

"  You  shall  learn  presently,"  replied  Catesby.  And  he 
motioned  to  Fawkes  to  remove  Viviana. 

"  Let  me  remain,"  she  cried,  fiercely.  "  My  nature  is 
changed,  and  is  become  as  savage  as  your  own.  If  blood 
must  be  spilt,  I  will  tarry  to  look  upon  it." 

"  This  is  no  place  for  you,  dear  daughter,"  interposed 
Garnet. 

"Nor  for  you  either,  father,"  retorted  Viviana,  bitterly ; 


236  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  unless  you  will  act  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  and  prevent 
this  violence." 

"  Let  her  remain,  if  she  will,"  observed  Catesby.  "  Her 
presence  need  not  hinder  our  proceedings." 

So  saying,  he  seated  himself  opposite  Tresham,  while 
the  two  priests  placed  themselves  on  either  side.  Guy 
Fawkes  took  up  a  position  on  the  left  of  the  prisoner,  with 
his  drawn  dagger  in  his  hand,  and  Keyes,  stationed  him- 
self near  the  door.  The  unfortunate  captive  regarded 
them  with  terrified  glances,  and  trembled  in  every  limb. 

"Thomas  Tresham,"  commenced  Catesby,  in  a  stern 
voice,  "you  are  a  sworn  brother  in  our  plot.  Before  I 
proceed  further,  I  will  ask  you  what  should  be  his  punish- 
ment who  violates  his  oath,  and  betrays  his  confederates  ? 
We  await  your  answer  ?  " 

But  Tresham  remained  obstinately  silent. 

"  I  will  tell  you,  since  you  refuse  to  speak,"  continued 
Catesby.  "  It  is  death — death  by  the  hands  of  his  asso- 
ciates." 

"  It  may  be,"  replied  Tresham  ;  "  but  I  have  neither 
broken  my  oath,  nor  betrayed  you." 

"  Your  letter  to  Lord  Mounteagle  is  in  my  possession," 
replied  Catesby.     "  Behold  it  1 " 

"  Perdition  !  "  exclaimed  Tresham.  "  But  you  will  not 
slay  me?  I  have  betrayed  nothing.  I  have  revealed 
nothing.  On  my  soul's  salvation,  I  have  not !  Spare  me  ! 
spare  me  !  and  I  will  be  a  faithful  friend  in  future.  I  have 
been  indiscreet — I  own  it — but  nothing  more.  I  have 
mentioned  no  names.  And  Lord  Mounteagle,  as  you  well 
know,  is  as  zealous  a  Catholic  as  any  now  present." 

"  Your  letter  has  been  sent  to  the  Earl  of  Salisbury," 
pursued  Catesby,  coldly.  "  It  was  from  him  I  obtained 
it." 

"  Then  Lord  Mounteagle  has  betrayed  me,"  returned 
Tresham,  becoming  pale  as  death. 

"  Have  you  nothuig  further  to  allege  ? "  demanded 
Catesby.  As  Tresham  made  no  answer,  he  turned  to  the 
others,  and  said,  "  Is  it  your  judgment  he  should  die  ?  " 


THE  TRAITOR.  237 

All,  except  Yiviana,  answered  in  the  affirmative. 

"  Tresham,"  continued  Catesby,  solemnly,  "  prepare  to 
meet  your  fate  like  a  man.  And  do  you,  father,"  he  added 
to  Garnet,  "  proceed  to  shrive  him." 

"  Hold !  "  cried  Viviana,  stepping  into  the  midst  of 
them, — "  hold  ! "  she  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  so  authoritative, 
and  with  a  look  so  commanding,  that  the  whole  assem- 
blage were  awe-stricken,  "  If  you  think  to  commit  this 
crime  with  impunity,  you  are  mistaken.  I  swear  by 
everything  sacred,  if  you  take  this  man's  life,  I  will  go 
forth  instantly,  and  denounce  you  all  to  the  Council. 
You  may  stare,  sirs,  and  threaten  me,  but  you  shall  find  I 
will  keep  my  word." 

"  We  must  put  her  to  death  too,"  observed  Catesby,  in 
an  undertone  to  Fawkes,  "or  we  shall  have  a  worse 
enemy  left  than  Tresham." 

"  I  cannot  consent  to  it,"  replied  Fawkes. 

« If  you  mistrust  this  person,  why  not  place  him  in 
restraint?"  pursued  Viviana.  "You  will  not  mend 
matters  by  killing  him." 

«  She  says  well,"  observed  Garnet ;  "  let  us  put  him  in 
some  place  of  security." 

"  I  am  agreed,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  And  I,"  added  Keyes. 

"  My  judgment,  then,  is  overruled,"  rejoined  Catesby. 
«  But  I  will  not  oppose  you.  We  will  imprison  him  in 
the  vault  beneath  this  chamber." 

«  He  must  be  without  light,"  said  Garnet. 

"And  without  arms,"  added  Keyes. 

"  And  without  food,"  muttered  Catesby.  "  He  has  only 
exchanged  one  death  for  another." 

The  flag  was  then  raised,  and  Tresham  thrust  into  the 
vault,  after  which  it  was  restored  to  its  former  position. 

"  I  have  saved  you  from  the  lesser  crime,"  cried  Viviana 
to  Guy  Fawkes ;  "  and,  Avith  Heaven's  grace,  I  trust  to 
preserve  you  from  the  greater !  " 


238  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  ni. 

THE    ESCAPE    PREVENTED. 

ViviANA  having  retired  to  her  chamber,  apparently  to 
rest,  a  long  and  anxious  consultation  was  held  by  the  con- 
spirators as  to  the  next  steps  to  be  pursued.  Garnet  was 
of  opinion  that,  as  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  was  aware  of  a 
conspiracy  against  the  state  being  on  foot  among  the 
Catholics,  their  project  ought  to  be  deferred,  if  not  alto- 
gether abandoned. 

"  We  are  sure  to  be  discovered,"  he  said.  "  Arrests 
without  end  will  take  place.  And  such  rigorous  measures 
will  be  adopted  by  the  Earl,  such  inquiries  instituted,  that 
all  will  infallibly  be  brought  to  light.  Besides,  we  know 
not  what  Tresham  may  have  revealed.  He  denies  having 
betrayed  our  secret,  but  no  credit  can  be  attached  to  his 
assertions." 

«  Shall  we  examine  him  again,  father,"  cried  Catesby, 
"  and  wring  the  truth  from  him  by  threats  or  torture  ?  " 

"  No,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet ;  "  let  him  remain  where 
he  is  till  morning.  A  night  of  solitary  confinement,  added 
to  the  stings  of  his  own  guilty  conscience,  is  likely  to  pro- 
duce a  stronger  effect  upon  him  than  any  torments  we 
could  inflict.  He  shall  be  interrogated  strictly  to-mor- 
row, and,  I  will  answer  for  it,  will  make  a  full  confession. 
But  even  if  he  has  revealed  nothing  material,  there  exists 
another  and  equally  serious  ground  of  alarm,  I  allude  to 
your  meeting  with  the  Earl  on  the  river.  I  should  be  the 
last  to  counsel  bloodshed.  But  if  ever  it  could  be  justi- 
fied, it  might  have  been  so  in  this  case." 

"  I  would  have  slain  him  if  I  had  had  my  own  way," 
returned  Catesby,  with  a  fierce  and  reproachful  look  at 
Fawkes. 

"  If  I  have  done  wrong,  I  will  speedily  repair  my  error," 


THE  ESCAPE  PREVENTED.  239 

observed  the  latter.  "  Do  you  desire  his  death,  father  ? 
and  will  you  absolve  me  from  the  deed  ?  "  he  added,  turn- 
ing to  Garnet. 

"  It  is  better  as  it  is,"  replied  Garnet,  making  a  gesture 
in  the  negative.  "  I  would  not  have  our  high  and  holy 
purpose  stained  by  common  slaughter.  The  power  that 
delivered  him  into  your  hands,  and  stayed  them,  no  doubt 
preserved  him  for  the  general  sacrifice.  My  first  fear 
was  lest,  having  noticed  the  barrels  of  powder  within  the 
l)oat,  he  might  have  suspected  your  design.  But  I  am 
satisfied  his  eyes  were  blinded,  and  his  reason  benighted, 
so  that  he  could  discern  nothing." 

"  Such  was  my  own  opinion,  father,"  replied  Fawkes. 
"Let  us  observe  the  utmost  caution,  but  proceed  at  all 
hazards  with  the  enterprise.     If  we  delay,  we  fail." 

"  Right,"  returned  Catesby ;  "  and  for  that  counsel  I 
forgive  you  for  standing  between  me  and  our  enemy." 

Upon  this,  it  was  agreed  that  if  nothing  occurred  in  the 
interim,  more  powder  should  be  transported  to  the  habi- 
tation in  Westminster  on  the  following  night,— that 
Fawkes  and  Catesby.,  who  might  be  recognized  by  Salis- 
bury's description,  should  keep  close  house  during  the 
day, — and  that  the  rest  of  the  conspirators  should  be 
summoned  to  assist  in  digging  the  mine.  Prayers  were 
then  offered  up  by  the  two  priests  for  their  preservation 
from  peril,  and  for  success  in  their  enterprise;  after 
which,  they  threw  themselves  on  benches  or  seats,  and 
courted  slumber.  All  slept  soundly  except  Fawkes,  who, 
not  being  able  to  close  his  eyes,  from  an  undefinable  ap- 
prehension of  danger,  arose,  and  cautiously  opening  the 
door,  kept  watch  outside. 

Shortly  afterwards,  Viviana,  who  had  waited  till  all 
was  quiet,  softly  descended  the  stairs,  and,  shading  her 
light,  gazed  timorously  round.  Satisfied  she  was  not  ob- 
served, she  glided  swiftly  and  noiselessly  to  the  fireplace, 
and  endeavored  to  raise  the  flag.  But  it  resisted  all  her 
efforts,  and  she  was  a^^out  to  abandon  the  attempt  in 
despair,  when  she  perceived  a  bolt  on  one  side,  that  bad 


240  GUY  FAWKES. 

escaped  her  notice.  Hastily  withdrawing  it,  she  experi- 
enced no  furtlier  difficulty.  The  stone  revolved  on  hinges 
like  a  trap-door,  and  lifting  it,  she  hurried  down  the  steps. 

Alarmed  by  her  approach,  Tresham  had  retreated  to 
the  further  end  of  the  vault,  and  snatching  up  a  halbert 
from  the  pile  of  weapons,  cried  in  a  voice  of  desperation — ■ 

"  Stand  off  !  I  am  armed,  and  have  severed  my  bonds. 
Off,  I  say !     You  shall  not  take  me  with  life." 

"  Hush  !  "  cried  Viviana,  putting  her  finger  to  her  lips, 
"  I  am  come  to  set  you  free." 

"  Do  I  behold  an  inhabitant  of  this  world  ?  "  cried  Tres- 
ham, crossing  himself,  and  dropping  the  halbert,  "  or 
some  blessed  saint  ?  Ah  !  "  he  exclaimed,  as  she  advanced 
towards  him,  "it  is  Viviana  Radcliffe — my  preserver. 
Pardon,  sweet  lady.  My  eyes  were  dazzled  by  the  light, 
and  your  sudden  appearance  and  speech, — and  I  might 
almost  say  looks, — made  me  think  you  were  some  super- 
natural being  come  to  deliver  me  from  these  bloody-mind- 
ed men.     Where  are  they  ?  " 

"In  the  room  above,"  she  replied,  in  a  whisj)er, — ■ 
"  asleep, — and  if  you  speak  so  loud  you  will  arouse  them." 

"  Let  us  fly  without  a  moment's  delay,"  returned  Tres- 
ham, in  the  same  tone,  and  hastily  picking  up  a  rapier  and 
a  dagger. 

"Stay!"  cried  Viviana,  arresting  him.  "Before  you 
go,  you  must  tell  me  what  you  are  about  to  do." 

"  We  will  talk  of  that  when  we  are  out  of  this  accursed 
place,"  he  replied. 

"  You  shall  not  stir  a  footstep,"  she  rejoined,  placing 
herself  resolutely  between  him  and  the  outlet,  "  till  you 
have  sworn  neither  to  betray  your  confederates,  nor  to  do 
them  injury." 

"  May  Heaven  requite  me,  if  I  forgive  them ! "  cried 
Tresham  between  his  ground  teeth. 

"Remember! — you  are  yet  in  their  power,"  she  re- 
joined. "  One  word  from  me,  and  they  are  at  your  side. 
Swear! — and  swear  solemnly,  or  you  do  not  quit  this 
spot," 


THE  Escape  prevented.  241 

Tresham  gazed  at  her  fiercely,  and  griped  his  dagger, 
as  if  determined  to  free  himself  at  any  cost. 

"  Ah  !  "  she  ejaculated,  noticing  the  movement,  "  you 
are  indeed  a  traitor.  You  have  neither  sense  of  honor 
nor  gratitude,  and  I  leave  you  to  your  fate.  Attempt  to 
follow  me,  and  I  give  the  alarm." 

"  Forgive  me,  Viviana,"  he  cried,  abjectly  prostrating 
himself  at  her  feet,  and  clinging  to  the  hem  of  her  dress. 
*'I  meant  only  to  terrify  you  ;  I  would  not  injure  you  for 
worlds.  Do  not  leave  me  with  these  ruthless  cut-throats. 
They  will  assuredly  murder  me.  Do  not  remain  with 
them  yourself,  or  you  will  come  to  some  dreadful  end. 
Fly  with  me,  and  I  will  place  you  beyond  their  reach — 
will  watch  over  your  safety.  Or,  if  you  are  resolved  to 
brave  their  fury,  let  me  go,  and  I  will  take  any  oath  you 
propose.     As  I  hope  for  salvation  I  will  not  betray  them." 

"  Peace !  "  cried  Viviana,  contemptuously.  "  If  I  set 
you  free,  it  is  not  to  save  you,  but  them." 

"  What  mean  you  ?  "  asked  Tresham,  hesitating. 

"Question  me  not,  but  follow,"  she  rejoined,  "and 
tread  softly,  as  you  value  your  life." 

Tresham  needed  no  caution  on  this  head,  and  as  they 
emerged  from  the  trap-door  in  breathless  silence,  and  he 
beheld  the  figures  of  his  sleeping  foes,  he  could  scarcely 
muster  sufiicient  courage  to  pass  through  them.  Motion- 
ing him  to  proceed  quickly,  Viviana  moved  towards  the 
door,  and  to  her  surprise  found  it  unfastened.  Without 
pausing  to  consider  whence  this  neglect  could  arise,  she 
opened  it,  and  Tresham,  who  trembled  in  every  limb,  and 
walked  upon  the  points  of  his  feet,  stepped  forth.  As  he 
crossed  the  threshold,  however,  a  powerful  grasp  was  laid 
upon  his  shoulder,  and  a  drawn  sword  presented  to  his 
breast,  while  the  voice  of  Fawkes  thundered  m  his  ear, 
"  Who  goes  there  ?     Speak,  or  I  strike." 

While  the  fugitive,  not  daring  to  answer,  lest  his 
accents  should  betray  him,  endeavored  vainly  to  break 
away,  Viviana,  hearing  the  struggle,  threw  open  the  door, 
and  exclaimed,  "  It  is  Tresham.     I  set  him  free." 


242  G^UY  FAWKES. 

"You!"  cried  Fawkes,  in  astonishment.  "Where- 
fore?" 

"  In  the  hope  that  his  escape  would  induce  you  to  aban- 
don your  design,  and  seek  safety  in  flight,"  she  rejoined. 
"  But  you  have  thwarted  my  purpose." 

Fawkes  made  no  reply,  but  thrust  Tresham  forcibly 
into  the  house,  and  called  to  Catesby,  who  by  this  time 
had  been  roused  with  the  others,  to  close  and  bar  the 
door.  The  command  was  instantly  obeyed,  and  as 
Catesby  turned,  a  strange  and  fearful  group  met  his  view. 
In  the  midst  stood  Tresham,  his  haggard  features  and 
palsied  frame  bespeaking  the  extremity  of  his  terror. 
His  sword  having  been  beaten  from  his  grasp  by  Fawkes, 
and  his  dagger  wrested  from  him  by  Keyes,  he  was 
utterly  defenseless.  Viviana  had  placed  herself  between 
him  and  his  assailants,  and  screening  him  from  their 
attack,  cried — 

"  Despatch  me.  The  fault  is  mine — mine  only — and  I 
am  ready  to  pay  the  penalty.  Had  I  not  released  him, 
he  would  not  have  attempted  to  escape.  I  am  the  right- 
ful victim." 

"  She  speaks  the  truth,"  gasped  Tresham.  "  If  she  had 
not  offered  to  liberate  me,  I  should  never  have  thought 
of  flying.  Would  to  Heaven  I  had  never  yielded  to  her 
solicitations ! " 

"  Peace,  craven  hound !  "  exclaimed  Fawkes,  furiously  ; 
«  you  deserve  to  die  for  your  meanness  and  ingratitude, 
if  not  for  your  treachery.  And  it  is  for  this  miserable 
wretch,  Viviana,"  he  added,  turning  to  her,  "  that  you 
would  have  placed  your  friends  in  such  fearful  jeopardy, 
— it  is  for  him,  who  would  sacrifice  you  without  scruple 
to  save  himself,  that  you  now  offer  your  own  life  ?  " 

"  I  deserve  your  reproaches,"  she  rejoined,  in  confusion. 

"Had  I  not  fortunately  intercepted  him,"  pursued 
Fawkes,  "  an  hour  would  not  have  elapsed  ere  he  would 
have  returned  with  the  officers;  and  we  should  have 
changed  this  dwelling  for  a  dungeon  in  the  Tower, — 
these  benches  for  the  rack." 


THE  ESCAPE  PREVENTED.  243 

« In  pity  stab  me ! "  cried  Viviana,  falling  at  his  feet. 
"  But  oh !  do  not  wound  me  with  your  words.  I  have 
committed  a  grievous  wrong  ;  but  I  was  ignorant  of  the 
consequences ;  and,  as  I  hope  for  mercy  hereafter,  my 
sole  motive,  beyond  compassion  for  this  wretched  man, 
was  to  terrify  you  into  relinquishing  your  dreadful  pro- 
ject." 

"  You  have  acted  wrongfully, — very  wrongfully,  Vivi- 
ana," interposed  Garnet :  "  but  since  you  are  fully  con- 
vinced of  your  error,  no  more  need  be  said.  There  are 
seasons  when  the  heart  must  be  closed  against  compas- 
sion, and  when  mercy  becomes  injustice.  Go  to  your 
chamber,  and  leave  us  to  deal  with  this  unhappy  man." 

"  To-morrow  you  must  quit  us,"  observed  Fawkes,  as 
she  passed  him. 

"  Quit  you ! "  she  exclaimed,  "  I  will  never  offend 
again." 

"  I  will  not  trust  you,"  replied  Fawkes,  "  unless — but 
it  is  useless  to  impose  restrictions  upon  you,  which  you 
will  not — perhaps,  cannot  observe." 

"  Impose  any  restrictions  you  please,"  replied  Viviana. 
"  But  do  not  bid  me  leave  you." 

"  The  time  has  come  when  we  must  separate,"  rejoined 
Fawkes.  "  See  you  not  that  the  course  we  are  taking 
is  slippery  with  blood,  and  beset  with  perils  which  the 
firmest  of  your  sex  could  not  encounter  ?  " 

"I  will  encounter  them  nevertheless,"  replied  Viviana. 
"Be  merciful,"  she  added,  pointing  to  Tresham,  "and 
mercy  shall  be  shown  you  in  your  hour  of  need."  And 
she  slowly  withdrew. 

While  this  was  passing,  Catesby  addressed  a  few  words 
aside  to  Keyes  and  Oldcorne,  and  now  stepping  forward, 
and  fixing  his  eye  steadily  upon  the  prisoner,  to  note 
the  effect  of  his  speech  upon  him,  said — 

"  I  have  devised  a  plan  by  which  the  full  extent  of 
Tresham's  treachery  can  be  ascertained." 

«  You  do  not  mean  to  torture  him,  I  trust?  "  exclaimed 
Garnet,  uneasily. 


244  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  No,  father,"  replied  Catesby.  "  If  torture  is  inflicted 
at  all,  it  will  be  upon  the  mind,  not  the  body." 

"  Then  it  will  be  no  torture,"  observed  Garnet.  «  State 
your  plan,  my  son," 

"It  is  this,"  returned  Catesby.  "He  shall  write  a 
letter  to  Lord  Mounteagle,  stating  that  he  has  important 
revelations  to  make  to  him,  and  entreating  him  to  come 
hither  unattended." 

"  Here ! "  exclaimed  Fawkes. 

«  Here,"  repeated  Catesby  ;  "  and  alone.  We  will  con- 
ceal ourselves  in  such  manner  that  we  may  overhear  what 
passes  between  them,  and  if  any  attempt  is  made  by  the 
villain  to  betray  our  presence,  he  shall  be  immediately 
shot.     By  this  means  we  cannot  fail  to  elicit  the  truth." 

"  I  approve  your  plan,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet ;  "  but 
who  will  convey  the  letter  to  Lord  Mounteagle  ?  " 

"  I  will,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Let  it  be  prepared  at  once, 
and  the  case  will  be  thought  the  more  urgent.  I  will 
watch  him,  and  see  that  he  comes  unattended,  or  give 
you  timely  warning." 

"Enough,"  rejoined  Garnet.  "Let  writing  materials 
be  procured,  and  I  will  dictate  the  letter." 

Tresham,  meanwhile,  exhibited  no  misgiving ;  but,  on 
the  contrary,  his  countenance  brightened  up  as  the  plan 
was  approved. 

"  My  life  will  be  spared  if  you  find  I  have  not  deceived 
you,  will  it  not  ?  "  he  asked,  in  a  supplicating  voice. 

"Assuredly,"  replied  Garnet. 

« Give  me  pen  and  ink,  then,"  he  cried,  "  and  I  will 
write  whatever  you  desire." 

"Our  secret  is  safe,"  whispered  Catesby  to  Garnet. 
« It  is  useless  to  test  him  further." 

« I  think  so,"  replied  Garnet.  "  Would  we  had  made 
this  experiment  sooner  ! " 

"  Do  not  delay,  I  entreat  you,"  implored  Tresham.  "  I 
am  eager  to  prove  my  innocence." 

"  We  are  satisfied  with  the  proof  we  have  already  ob- 
tained^" returned  Garnet. 


THE  ESCAPE  PREVENTED.  ^45 

Tresham  dropped  on  his  knees  in  speechless  gratitude. 

"We  are  spared  the  necessity  of  being  your  execu- 
tioners, my  son,"  pursued  Garnet,  "and  I  rejoice  at  it. 
But  I  cannot  acquit  you  of  the  design  to  betray  us  ;  and 
till  you  have  unburthened  your  wliole  soul  to  me,  and 
proved  by  severe  and  self-inflicted  penance  that  you  are 
really  penitent,  you  must  remain  a  captive  within  these 
walls." 

"I  will  disguise  nothing  from  you,  father,"  replied 
Tresham,  "  and  will  strive  to  expiate  my  offense  by  the 
severest  penance  you  choose  to  inflict." 

"  Do  this,  my  son,"  rejoined  Garnet ;  « leave  no  doubt 
of  your  sincerity,  and  you  may  be  yet  restored  to  the 
place  you  have  forfeited,  and  become  a  sharer  in  our  great 
enterprise." 

"  I  will  never  trust  him  more,"  observed  Fawkes. 

"  Nor  I,"  added  Keyes. 

"Jwill,"  rejoined  Catesby :  "not  that  I  have  more 
faith  in  him  than  either  of  you ;  but  I  will  so  watch  him 
that  he  shall  not  dare  to  betray  us.  Nay,  more,"  he  added, 
in  an  undertone,  to  Garnet,  "  I  will  turn  his  treachery  to 
account.     He  will  be  a  useful  spy  upon  our  enemies." 

«•  If  he  can  be  relied  on,"  observed  Garnet. 

"After  this,  you  need  have  no  fears,"  rejoined  Catesby, 
with  a  significant  smile. 

"  The  first  part  of  your  penance,  my  son,"  said  Garnet, 
addressing  Tresham,  "shall  be  to  pass  the  night  in 
solitary  vigil  and  prayer  within  the  vault.  Number  your 
transgressions,  and  reflect  upon  their  enormity.  Con- 
sider not  only  the  injury  your  conduct  might  have  done 
us,  but  the  holy  church  of  which  you  are  so  sinful  a 
member.  Weigh  over  all  this,  and  to-morrow  I  will 
hear  your  confession  ;  when,  if  I  find  you  in  a  state  of 
grace,  absolution  shall  not  be  refused." 

Tresham  humbly  bowed  his  head  in  token  of  acquies- 
cence. He  was  then  led  to  the  vault,  and  the  flag  closed 
over  him,  as  before.  This  done,  after  a  brief  conversa- 
tion, the  others  again. 'stretched  themselves  on  the  floor, 
and  sougiit  repose. 


246  GUY  FAWKES. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


THE    MINE. 


Some  days  elapsed  before  the  conspirators  ventured 
forth  from  their  present  abode.  They  had  intended  to 
remove  the  rest  of  the  powder  without  loss  of  time,  but 
were  induced  to  defer  their  purpose  on  the  representa- 
tions of  Tresham,  who  stated  to  Garnet,  that  in  his  opin- 
ion they  would  run  a  great  and  needless  risk.  Before  the 
expiration  of  a  week,  Tresham's  apparent  remorse  for  his 
perfidy,  added  to  his  seeming  zeal,  had  so  far  reinstated 
him  in  the  confidence  of  his  associates,  that  he  was  fully 
absolved  of  his  offense  by  Garnet ;  and,  after  taking  fresh 
oaths  of  even  greater  solemnity  than  the  former,  was 
again  admitted  to  the  league.  Catesby,  however,  who 
placed  little  faith  in  his  protestations,  never  lost  sight  of 
him  for  an  instant,  and,  even  if  he  meditated  an  escape, 
he  had  no  opportunity  of  effecting  it. 

A  coldness,  stronger  on  his  side  than  hers,  seemed  to 
have  arisen  between  Viviana  and  Guy  Fawkes.  When- 
ever she  descended  to  the  lower  room,  he  withdrew  on 
some  excuse ;  and  though  he  never  urged  her  departure 
by  words,  his  looks  plainly  bespoke  that  he  desired  it. 
Upon  one  occasion,  she  found  him  alone, — the  others 
being  at  the  time  witliin  the  vault.  He  was  wlietting  tlie 
point  of  his  dagger,  and  did  not  hear  her  approach,  until 
she  stood  beside  him.  He  was  slightly  confused,  and  a 
deep  ruddy  stain  fluxshed  his  swarthy  cheeks  and  brow ; 
but  he  averted  his  gaze,  and  continued  his  occupation  in 
silence. 

"  Why  do  you  shun  me  ?  "  asked  Viviana,  laying  her 
hand  gently  upon  his  shoulder.  And,  as  he  did  not  an- 
swer, she  repeated  the  question  in  a  broken  voice.     Guy 


THE  MINE.  247 

Fawkes  then  looked  up,  and  perceived  that  her  eyes  were 
filled  with  tears. 

"I  shun  you,  Viviana,  for  two  reasons,"  he  replied 
gravely,  but  kindly  ;  «  first,  because  I  would  have  no  ties 
of  sympathy  to  make  me  cling  to  the  world,  or  care  for 
it;  and  I  feel  that  if  I  suffer  myself  to  be  interested 
about  you,  this  will  not  long  be  the  case :  secondly,  and 
chiefly,  because  you  are  constantly  striving  to  turn  me 
from  my  fixed  purpose ;  and,  though  your  efforts  have 
been,  and  will  be  unavailing,  yet  I  would  not  be  exposed 
to  them  further." 

« You  fear  me,  because  you  think  I  shall  shake  your 
resolution,"  she  rejoined,  with  a  forced  smile.  "But  I 
will  trouble  you  no  more.  Nay,  if  you  wish  it,  I  will 
go." 

"  It  were  better,"  replied  Fawkes,  in  accents  of  deep 
emotion,  and  taking  her  hand.  «  Painful  as  will  be  the 
parting  with  you,  I  shall  feel  more  easy  when  it  is  over. 
It  grieves  me  to  the  soul  to  see  you — the  daughter  of  the 
proud,  the  wealthy  Sir  William  Radcliffe— an  inmate  of 
this  wretched  abode,  surrounded  by  desperate  men,  whose 
actions  you  disapprove,  and  whose  danger  you  are  com- 
pelled to  share.  Think  how  it  would  add  to  my  suffer- 
ing if  our  plot — which  Heaven  avert — should  be  dis- 
covered, and  you  be  involved  in  it." 

«  Do  not  think  of  it,"  replied  Viviana. 

"I  cannot  banish  it  from  my  thoughts,"  continued 
Fawkes.  "  I  cannot  reconcile  it  to  my  feelings  that  one 
so  young,  so  beautiful,  should  be  thus  treated.  Dwelling 
on  this  idea  unmans  me — unfits  me  for  sterner  duties. 
The  great  crisis  is  at  hand,  and  I  must  live  only  for  it." 

"  Live  for  it,  then,"  rejoined  Viviana ;  "  but,  oh  !  let  me 
remain  with  you  till  the  blow  is  struck.  Something  tells 
me  I  may  yet  be  useful  to  you — may  save  you." 

"  No  more  of  this,  if  you  would  indeed  remain,"  re- 
joined Guy  Fawkes,  sternly.  «  Regard  me  as  a  sword 
in  the  hand  of  fate,  which  cannot  be  turned  aside, — as  a 
bolt  launched  from  the  cloud,  and  shattering  all  in  its 


248  GUY  FAWKES. 

course,  -whicli  may  not  be  stopped, — as  something  terrible, 
exterminating,  immovable.  Regard  me  as  this,  and  say 
whether  I  am  not  to  be  shunned." 

"  No,"  replied  Viviana  ;  "  I  am  as  steadfast  as  yourself. 
I  will  remain." 

Guy  Fawkes  gazed  at  her  in  surprise  mixed  with  ad- 
miration, and  pressing  her  hand  affectionately,  said, 

"  I  applaud  your  resolution.  If  I  had  a  daughter,  I 
should  wish  her  to  be  like  you." 

"You  promised  to  be  a  father  to  me,"  she  rejoined. 
"  How  can  you  be  so  if  I  leave  you  ?  " 

"  How  can  I  be  so  if  you  stay  ? "  returned  Fawkes, 
mournfully.  "  No,  you  must  indulge  no  filial  tenderness 
for  one  so  utterly  unable  to  requite  it  as  myself.  Fix 
your  thoughts  wholly  on  Heaven.  Pray  for  the  restora- 
tion of  our  holy  religion — for  the  success  of  the  great 
enterprise — and  haply  your  prayers  may  prevail." 

"  I  cannot  pray  for  that,"  she  replied ;  "  for  I  do  not 
wish  it  success.  But  I  will  pray — and  fervently — that 
all  danger  may  be  averted  from  your  head." 

At  this  moment,  Catesby  and  Keyes  emerged  from  the 
vault,  and  Viviana  hurried  to  her  chamber. 

As  soon  as  it  grew  dark,  the  remaining  barrels  of 
powder  were  brought  out  of  the  cellar,  and  carefully 
placed  in  the  boat.  Straw  was  then  heaped  upon  them, 
and  the  whole  covered  with  a  piece  of  tarpaulin,  as  upon 
the  former  occasion.  It  being  necessary  to  cross  the 
river  more  than  once,  the  conduct  of  the  first  and  most 
hazardous  passage  was  intrusted  to  Fawkes,  and  accom- 
panied by  Keyes  and  Bates,  both  of  whom  were  well 
armed,  he  set  out  a  little  before  midnight.  It  was  a  clear 
starlight  night ;  but  as  the  moon  had  not  yet  risen,  they 
were  under  no  apprehension  of  discovery.  The  few  craft 
they  encountered,  bent  probably  on  some  suspicious  er- 
rand like  themselves,  paid  no  attention  to  them  ;  and  ply- 
ing their  oars  swiftly,  they  shot  under  the  low  parapet 
edging  the  gardens  of  the  Parliament  House,  just  as  the 
deep  bell  of  the  Abbey  tolled  forth  the  hour  of  twelve. 


THE  MINE.  249 

Keeping  in  the  shade,  they  silently  approached  the  stairs. 
No  one  was  there,  not  even  a  waterman  to  attend  to  the 
numerous  wherries  moored  to  the  steps;-  and,  without 
losing  a  moment,  tliey  sprang  ashore,  and  concealing  the 
barrels  beneath  their  cloaks,  glided  like  phantoms  sum- 
moned by  the  witching  hour  along  the  passage  formed  by 
two  high  walls,  leading  to  Old  Palace  Yard,  and  speedily 
reached  the  gate  of  the  habitation.  In  this  way,  and  with 
the  utmost  rapidity,  the  whole  of  the  fearful  cargo  was 
safely  deposited  in  the  garden  ;  and  leaving  the  others  to 
carry  it  into  the  house,  Guy  Fawkes  returned  to  the  boat. 
As  he  was  about  to  push  off,  two  persons  rushed  to  the 
stair-head,  and  the  foremost,  evidently  mistaking  him  for 
a  waterman,  called  to  him  to  take  them  across  the  river. 

"  I  am  no  waterman,  friend,"  replied  Fawkes  ;  "  and  am 
engaged  on  business  of  my  own.  Seek  a  wherry  else- 
where." 

"  By  heaven ! "  exclaimed  the  newcomer,  in  accents 
of  surprise,  "it  is  Guy  Fawkes.     Do  you  not  know  me?" 

"Can  it  be  Humphrey  Chetham?"  cried  Fawkes, 
equally  astonished. 

"  It  is,"  replied  the  other.  "  This  meeting  is  most 
fortunate.  I  was  in  search  of  you,  having  somewhat  of 
importance  to  communicate  to  Viviana." 

"  State  it  quickly,  then,"  returned  Fawkes ;  "  I  cannot 
tarry  here  much  longer." 

"I  will  go  with  you,"  rejoined  Chetham,  springing  into 
the  boat,  and  followed  by  his  companion.  "You  must 
take  me  to  her." 

"  Impossible,"  cried  Fawkes,  rising  angrily  ;  "  neither 
can  I  permit  you  to  accompany  me.  I  am  busied  about 
my  own  concerns,  and  will  not  be  interrupted." 

"  At  least,  tell  me  where  I  can  find  Viviana,"  persisted 
Chetham. 

"  Not  now— not  now,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  impatiently. 
« Meet  me  to-morrow  night,  at  thi§  hour,  in  the  Great 
Sanctuary,  at  the  farther  side  of  the  Abbey,  and  you 
shaU  learn  all  you  desire  to  know." 


250  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  "Why  not  now  ?  "  rejoined  Chetham,  earnestly.  "  You 
need  not  fear  me.  I  am  no  spy,  and  will  reveal  noth- 
ing." 

"  But  your  companion  ?  "  hesitated  Fawkes. 

"  It  is  only  Martin  Heydocke,"  answered  Chetham. 
"  He  can  keep  a  close  tongue  as  well  as  his  master." 

« Well,  sit  down,  then,"  returned  Fawkes,  sullenly. 
"  There  will  be  less  risk  in  taking  them  to  Lambeth,"  he 
muttered,  "than  in  loitering  here."  And  rowing  with 
great  swiftness,  he  soon  gained  the  center  of  the  stream. 

"  And  so,"  he  observed,  resting  for  a  moment  on  his 
oars,  "  you  still  cherish  your  attachment  to  Viviana,  I  see. 
Xay,  never  start,  man.  I  am  no  enemy  to  your  suit, 
though  others  may  be.  And  if  she  would  place  herself 
at  my  disposal,  I  would  give  her  to  you, — certain  that  it 
would  be  to  one  upon  whom  her  affections  are  fixed." 

"  Do  you  think  any  change  likely  to  take  place  in  her 
sentiments  towards  me  ?  "  faltered  Chetham.  "  May  I 
indulge  a  hope  ?  " 

"  I  would  not  have  you  despair,"  replied  Fawkes. 
"  Because,  as  far  as  I  have  noticed,  women  are  not  apt 
to  adhere  to  their  resolutions  in  matters  of  the  heart ; 
and  because,  as  I  have  just  said,  she  loves  you,  and  I  see 
no  reasonable  bar  to  your  union." 

"  You  give  me  new  life,"  cried  Chetham,  transported 
with  joy.  "  Oh !  that  you,  who  have  so  much  influence 
with  her,  would  speak  in  my  behalf." 

"  Nay,  you  must  plead  your  own  cause,"  replied  Fawkes. 
"I  cannot  hold  out  much  hope  at  present;  for  recent 
events  have  cast  a  deep  gloom  over  her  spirit,  and  she 
appears  to  be  a  prey  to  melancholy.  Let  this  wear  off, 
and  with  one  so  young  and  so  firm-minded  it  is  sure  to 
do  so, — and  then  your  suit  may  be  renewed.  Urge  it 
when  you  may,  you  have  my  best  wishes  for  success,  and 
shall  have  my  warmest  efforts  to  second  you." 

Humphrey  Chetham  murmured  his  thanks  in  accents 
almost  unintelligible  from  emotion,  and  Guy  Fawkes  con- 
tinued, 


THE  MINE.  251 

"  It  would  be  dangerous  for  you  to  disembark  with  me  ; 
but  when  I  put  you  ashore,  I  will  point  out  the  dwelling 
at  present  occupied  by  Viviana.  You  can  visit  it  as  early 
as  you  please  to-morrow.  You  will  find  no  one  with  her 
but  Father  Oldcorne,  and  I  need  scarcely  add,  it  will 
gladden  me  to  the  heart  to  find  on  my  return  that  she  has 
yielded  to  your  entreaties." 

"  I  cannot  thank  you,"  cried  Chetham,  warmly  grasp- 
ing his  hand  ;  "  but  I  hope  to  find  some  means  of  evinc- 
ing my  gratitude." 

"Prove  it  by  maintaining  the  strictest  secresy  as  to 
all  you  may  see  or  hear, — or  even  suspect, — within  the 
dwelling  you  are  about  to  visit,"  returned  Guy  Fawkes. 
"  Knowing  that  I  am  dealing  with  a  man  of  honor,  1  re- 
quire no  stronger  obligation  than  your  word." 

"  You  have  it,"  replied  Chetham,  solemnly. 

"  Your  worship  shall  have  my  oath,  if  you  desire  it," 
remarked  Martin  Heydocke. 

"  No,"  rejoined  Fawkes  ;  "  your  master  will  answer  for 
your  fidelity." 

Shortly  after  this,  Guy  Fawkes  pulled  ashore,  and  his 
companions  landed.  After  pointing  out  the  solitary  hab- 
itation, which  possessed  greater  interest  in  Humphrey 
Chetham's  eyes  than  the  proud  structures  he  had  just 
quitted,  and  extracting  a  promise  that  the  young  mer- 
chant would  not  approach  it  till  the  morrow,  he  rode  off, 
and  while  the  others  proceeded  to  Lambeth  in  search  of 
lodging  for  the  night,  made  the  best  of  his  way  to  the 
little  creek,  and  entered  the  house. 

He  found  the  other  conspirators  anxiously  awaiting  his 
arrival,  and  the  certainty  afforded  by  his  presence  that 
the  powder  had  been  landed  in  safety  gave  general  satis- 
faction. Preparations  were  immediately  made  for  an- 
other voyage.  A  large  supply  of  provisions,  consisting  of 
baked  meat  of  various  kinds,  hard-boiled  eggs,  pasties, 
bread,  and  other  viands,  calculated  to  serve  for  a  week's 
consumption,  without  the  necessity  of  having  recourse  to 
any  culinary  process,  and  which  had  been  previously  pro- 


252  GUY  FAWKES. 

cured  with  that  view,  together  with  a  few  flasks  of  wine, 
occupied  the  place  in  the  boat  lately  assigned  to  the  pow- 
der At  the  risk  of  overloading  the  vessel,  they  likewise 
increased  its  burthen  by  a  quantity  of  mining  implements 
— spades,  pickaxes,  augers,  and  wrenching  irons.  To 
these  were  added  as  many  swords,  calivers,  pikes,  and 
petronels,  as  the  space  left  would  accommodate.  Garnet 
and  Catesby  then  embarked, — the  former  having  taken 
111  iffectionate  farewell  of  Viviana,  whom  he  committed, 
with  the  strictest  injunction  to  watch  over  her,  to  the 
care  of  Father  Oldcorne.  Guy  Fawkes  lingered  for  a  mo- 
ment, doubting  whether  he  should  mention  his  rencounter 
with  Humphrey  Clietham.  He  was  the  more  undecided 
from  the  deep  affliction  in  which  she  was  plunged.  At 
last,  he  determined  upon  slightly  hinting  at  the  subject, 
and  to  be  guided  as  to  what  he  said  further  by  the  manner 
in  which  the  allusion  was  received. 

"  And  you  decide  upon  remaining  here  till  we  return, 
Viviana  ?  "  he  said. 

She  made  a  sign  in  the  affirmative. 

"  And  you  will  see  no  one  ?  " 

"No  one,"  she  answered. 

"  But,  should  any  old  friend  find  his  way  hither — 
Humphrey  Chetham,  for  instance — will  you  not  receive 
him  ?  " 

"  Why  do  you  single  out  him  ?  "  demanded  Viviana,  in- 
quiringly.    "  Is  he  in  London  ?     Have  you  seen  him  ?  " 

"  I  have,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes ;  "  I  accidentally  met 
him  to-night,  and  have  shown  him  this  dwelling.  He  will 
come  hither  to-morrow." 

"  I  wanted  only  this  to  make  me  thoroughly  wretched," 
cried  Viviana,  clasping  her  hands  with  anguish.  "  Oh  1 
what  unhappy  chance  threw  him  across  your  path  ?  Why 
did  you  tell  him  I  was  here  ?  Why  give  him  a  hope  that 
I  would  see  him  ?  But  I  will  not  see  him.  I  will  quit 
this  house  rather  than  be  exposed  to  the  meeting." 

"  What  means  this  sudden  excitement,  Viviana  ?  "  cried 
Guy  Fawkes,  greatly  surprised  by  her  agitation.    "  Why 


THE  MINE.  253 

should  a  visit  from  Humphrey  Chetham  occasion  you  un- 
easiness ?  " 

"  I  know  not,"  she  answered,  blushing  deeply ;  "  but  I 
will  not  hazard  it." 

"  I  thought  you  superior  to  your  sex,"  rejoined  Fawkes, 
"  and  should  never  have  suspected  you  of  waywardness  or 
caprice." 

"  You  charge  me  with  failings  that  do  not  belong  to 
me,"  she  answered.  "  I  am  neither  wayward  nor  capri- 
cious ;  but  I  would  be  willingly  spared  the  pain  of  an 
interview  with  one  whom  I  thought  I  loved." 

"  Thought  you  loved  !  "  echoed  Fawkes,  in  increased 
astonishment. 

"  Ay,  thought^''  repeated  Viviana,  "  for  I  have  since  ex- 
amined my  heart,  and  find  he  has  no  place  in  it." 

"You  might  be  happy  with  him,  Viviana,"  rejoined 
Fawkes,  reproachfully. 

"  I  might  have  been,"  she  replied,  "  had  circumstances 
favored  our  union.  But.I  should  not  be  so  now.  Recent 
events  have  wrought  an  entire  change  in  my  feelings. 
Were  I  to  abandon  my  resolution  of  retiring  to  a  cloister, 
— were  I  to  return  to  the  world, — and  were  such  an  event 
possible  as  that  Humphrey  Chetham  should  conform  to 
the  faith  of  Rome, — still,  I  would  not — could  not  wed 
him." 

"  I  grieve  to  hear  it,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Would  you  have  me  wed  him  ?  "  she  cried,  in  a  slight- 
ly mortified  tone. 

"In  good  sooth  would  I,"  replied  Fawkes;  "and  I  re- 
peat my  firm  conviction  you  would  be  happier  with  him  ' 
than  with  one  more  highly  born,  and  of  less  real  worth."  I 

Viviana  made  no  reply,  and  her  head  declined  upon  her 
bosom. 

"  You  will  see  him,"  pursued  Fawkes,  taking  her  hand, 
«if  only  to  tell  him  what  you  have  just  told  me." 

"  Since  you  desire  it,  I  will,"  she  replied,  fixing  a  look 
of  melancholy  tenderness  upon  him ;  "  but  it  will  cost  me 
a  bitter  laang." 


254  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  I  would  not  tax  you  with  it,  if  I  did  not  think  it  need- 
ful," returned  Fawkes.     "  And  now,  farewell."  " 

"  Farewell, — it  may  be,  forever,"  replied  Viviana,  sadly. 

"  The  boat  is  ready,  and  the  tide  ebbing,"  cried  Catesby, 
impatiently,  at  the  door.  "  We  shall  be  aground  if  you 
tarry  longer." 

"  I  come,"  replied  Fawkes.  And,  waving  an  adieu  to 
Viviana,  he  departed. 

"  Strange ! "  he  muttered  to  himself,  as  he  took  his  way 
to  the  creek.  *'  I  could  have  sworn  she  was  in  love  with 
Humphrey  Chetham.  Who  can  have  superseded  him  in 
her  regard  ?  Not  Catesby,  of  a  surety.  'Tis  a  perplexing 
sex.  The  best  are  fickle.  Heaven  be  praised !  I  have 
long  been  proof  against  their  wiles." 

Thus  musing,  he  sprang  into  the  skiff,  and  assisting 
Catesby  to  push  it  into  deep  water,  seized  an  oar,  and 
exerted  himself  stoutly  to  make  up  for  lost  time.  The 
second  voyage  was  as  prosperous  as  the  first.  A  thick  veil 
of  cloud  had  curtained  the  stars ;  the  steps  were  deserted 
as  before  ;  and  the  provisions,  arms,  and  implements  were 
securely  conveyed  to  their  destination. 

Thus  far  fortune  seemed  to  favor  their  undertaking, 
and  Garnet,  falling  on  his  knees,  offered  up  the  most 
fervent  thanksgivings.  Prayers  over,  they  descended  to 
the  cellar,  and  their  first  care  was  to  seek  out  a  place  as 
free  from  damp  as  possible,  where  the  powder  could  be 
deposited  till  the  excavation,  which  it  was  foreseen  would 
be  a  work  of  time  and  great  labor,  was  completed.  A 
dry  corner  being  found,  the  barrels  Avere  placed  in  it,  and 
carefully  concealed  with  billets  of  wood  and  coals,  so  as 
to  avert  suspicion  in  case  of  search.  This,  with  other 
arrangements,  occupied  the  greater  part  of  the  night,  and 
the  commencement  of  the  important  undertaking  was 
deferred  till  the  morrow,  when  an  increase  of  their  party 
was  anticipated. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  the  day  no  one  stirred  forth. 
The  windows  were  kept  closed  ;  the  doors  locked ;  and, 
as  no  fires  were  lighted,  the  house  had  the  ax3pearance  of 


THE  MINE.  255 

being  uninhabited.  In  the  course  of  the  morning  they 
underwent  considerable  alarm.  Some  mischievous  urchins 
having  scaled  the  garden  wall,  one  of  them  fell  within  it, 
and  his  cries  so  terrified  his  playmates  that  they  dropped 
on  the  other  side,  and  left  him.  The  conspirators  recon- 
noitered  the  unhappy  urchin,  who  continued  his  vocifera- 
tions in  a  loud  key,  through  the  holes  in  the  shutters, 
uncertain  what  to  do,  and  fearing  that  this  trifling  mis- 
chance might  lead  to  serious  consequences,  when  the 
subject  of  their  uneasiness  relieved  them  by  scrambling 
up  the  wall  near  the  door,  and  so  effecting  a  retreat. 
With  this  exception,  nothing  material  occurred  till  even- 
ing, when  their  expected  associates  arrived. 

The  utmost  caution  was  observed  in  admitting  them. 
The  newcomers  were  provided  with  a  key  of  the  gar- 
den-gate, but  a  signal  was  given  and  repeated  before  the 
house-door  was  opened  by  Bates,  to  whom  the  office  of 
porter  was  entrusted.  As  soon  as  the  latter  had  satisfied 
himself  that  all  was  right,  by  unmasking  a  dark  lantern, 
and  throAving  its  radiance  upon  the  faces  of  the  elder 
Wright,  Rookwood,  and  Percy,  he  stamped  his  foot  thrice, 
and  the  conspirators  emerged  from  their  hiding-places. 
A  warm  greeting  passed  between  the  confederates,  and 
they  adjourned  to  a  lower  chamber,  adjoining  the  vault, 
where  the  sound  of  their  voices  could  not  be  overheard, 
and  where,  while  partaking  of  a  frugal  meal — for  they 
desired  to  eke  out  their  store  of  provisions  as  long  as  pos- 
sible— they  discoursed  upon  their  plans,  and  all  that  had 
occurred  since  their  last  meeting.  Nothing  was  said  of  the 
treacher}^  of  Tresham — his  recent  conduct,  as  already  ob- 
served, having  been  such  as  to  restore  him  in  a  great  degree 
to  the  confidence  of  his  companions.  Percy,  whose  oflQce 
as  a  gentleman-pensioner  gave  him  the  best  opportunities 
of  hearing  court- whispers  and  secrets,  informed  them  it 
was  rumored  that  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  had  obtained  a 
clue  to  some  Catholic  plot,  whether  their  own  he  could 
not  say ;  but  it  would  seem  from  all  that  could  be  gathered, 
that  his  endeavors  to  trace  it  out  had  been  frustrated. 


25G  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Where  is  Lord  Mounteagle  ?  "  demanded  Catesby. 

"  At  his  mansion  near  Hoxton,"  replied  Percy. 

"  Have  you  observed  him  much  about  the  court  of  late, 
or  with  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  ?  "  pursued  Catesby. 

"  No,  "  replied  Percy.  "  Yet  now,  I  bethink  me,  I  did 
observe  them  together,  and  in  earnest  conversation  about 
a  week  ago.  But  Lord  Mounteagle  knows  nothing  of  our 
plot." 

"  Hum ! "  exclaimed  Catesby,  shrugging  his  shoulders, 
while  significant  looks  were  exchanged  by  the  others, 
and  Tresham  hung  his  head.  "Lord  Movmteagle  may 
not  know  that  you  or  I,  or  Fawkes,  or  Rookwood,  are 
conspiring  against  the  State ;  but  he  knows  that  a  plot  is 
hatching  amongst  our  party.  It  is  from  him  that  the 
Earl  of  Salisbury  derived  his  information." 

"  Amazement !  "  exclaimed  Percy. 

"  A  good  Catholic,  and  betray  his  fellows !  "  cried  Rook- 
wood :  "  this  passes  my  comprehension.  Are  you  sure 
of  it?" 

"  Unhappily  we  are  so,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet,  gravely. 

"  We  will  speak  of  this  hereafter,"  interposed  Catesby. 
"  I  have  a  plan  to  get  his  lordship  into  our  power,  and 
make  him  serve  our  purposes  in  spite  of  himself.  We 
will  outwit  the  crafty  Salisbury.  Can  any  one  tell  if 
Tresham's  sudden  disappearance  has  been  noticed." 

"His  household  report  that  he  is  on  a  visit  to  Sir 
Everard  Digby,  at  Gothurst,"  replied  Rookwood.  "  I 
called  at  his  residence  yesterday,  and  was  informed  that 
a  letter  had  just  been  received  from  him  dated  from  that 
place.  His  departure,  they  said,  was  sudden,  but  his 
letter  fully  accounted  for  it." 

"  The  messenger  who  bore  that  letter  had  only  to  travel 
from  Lambeth,"  observed  Catesby,  smiling. 

"  So  I  conclude,"  returned  Rookwood. 

"  And,  now  that  our  meal  is  ended,  let  us  to  work," 
cried  Fawkes,  who  had  taken  no  part  in  the  foregoing 
conversation.  « I  will  strike  the  first  blow,"  he  added, 
rising  and  seizing  a  mattock. 


THE  MINE.  ^Sf 

"  Hold,  my  son ! "  exclaimed  Garnet,  arresting  him. 
"  The  work  upon  which  the  redemption  of  our  holy  church 
hangs  must  be  commenced  with  due  solemnity." 

"  You  are  right,  father,''  replied  Fawkes,  humbly. 

Headed  by  Garnet,  bearing  a  crucifix,  they  then  re- 
paired to  the  vault.  A  silver  chalice,  filled  with  holy 
water,  was  carried  by  Fawkes,  and  two  lighted  tapers  by 
Catesby.  Kneeling  do'wn  before  that  part  of  the  wall 
against  which  operations  were  about  to  be  directed,  and 
holding  the  crucifix  towards  it.  Garnet  commenced  pray- 
ing in  a  low  but  earnest  tone,  gradually  raising  his  voice, 
and  increasing  in  fervor  as  he  proceeded.  The  others 
knelt  around  him,  and  the  whole  formed  a  strange  and 
deeply  interesting  group.  The  vault  itself  harmonized 
with  its  occupants.  It  was  of  great  antiquity ;  and  its 
solid  stone  masonry  had  acquired  a  time-worn  hoary  tint. 
In  width  it  was  about  nine  feet,  and  of  corresponding 
height,  supported  by  a  semicircular  arch,  and  its  length 
was  more  than  twenty  feet. 

The  countenances  of  the  conspirators  showed  that  they 
were  powerfully  moved  by  what  was  passing ;  but  next 
to  Garnet,  Guy  Fawkes  exhibited  the  greatest  enthusi- 
asm. His  ecstatic  looks  and  gestures  evinced  the  strong 
effect  produced  upon  his  superstitious  character  by  the 
scene.     Garnet  concluded  his  prayer  as  follows  : — 

"  Thus  far,  O  Lord,  we  have  toiled  in  darkness  and  in 
difficulty  ;  but  we  have  now  arrived  at  a  point  where  all 
thy  support  is  needed.  Do  not  desert  us,  we  beseech 
thee,_  but  let  thy  light  guide  us  through  these  gloomy 
paths.  Nerve  our  arms, — sharpen  our  weapons, — and 
crumble  these  hard  and  flinty  stones,  so  that  they  may 
yield  to  our  efforts.  Aid  our  enter^jrise,  if  thou  approv- 
est  it,  and  it  be  really,  as  in  our  ignorance  we  believe  it 
to  be,  for  the  welfare  of  thy  holy  Church,  and  the  con- 
fusion of  its  enemies.  Bear  witness,  O  Lord,  that  we  de- 
vote ourselves  wholly  and  entirely  to  this  one  end, — and 
that  we  implore  success  only  for  thy  glory  and  honor." 


258  GUY  FAWKES. 

With  this  he  arose,  and  the  following  strains  were 
chanted  by  the  whole  assemblage  : — 

HYMN  OF  THE  CONSPIRATORS. 

The  heretic  and  heathen,  Lord, 
Consume  with  fire,  cut  down  with  sword  ; 
The  spoilers  from  thy  temples  thrust, 
Their  altars  trample  in  the  dust. 

False  princes  and  false  priests  lay  low. 
Their  habitations  till  with  woe. 
Scatter  them,  Lord,  with  sword  and  flame. 
And  bring  them  utterly  to  shame. 

Thy  vengeful  arm  no  longer  stay. 
Arise !  exterminate,  and  slay. 
So  shall  thy  fallen  worship  be 
Restored  to  its  prosperity. 

This  hymn  raised  the  enthusiasm  of  the  conspirators 
to  the  highest  pitch,  and  such  was  the  effect  produced 
by  it,  as  it  rolled  in  sullen  echoes  along  the  arched  roof 
of  the  vault,  that  several  of  them  drew  their  swords,  and 
crossed  the  blades,  with  looks  of  the  most  determined  de- 
votion to  their  cause.  When  it  was  ended.  Garnet  re- 
cited other  prayers,  and  sprinkled  holy  water  upon  the 
wall,  and  upon  every  implement  about  to  be  used,  be- 
stowing a  separate  benediction  on  each.  As  he  delivered 
the  pick-axe  to  Guy  Fawkes,  he  cried  in  a  solemn 
voice — 

"  Strike,  my  son,  in  the  name  of  the  Most  High,  and 
in  behalf  of  our  holy  religion, — strike  !  " 

Guy  Fawkes  raised  the  weapon,  and  stimulated  by  ex- 
citement, threw  the  whole  strength  of  his  arm  into  the 
blow,  A  large  piece  of  the  granite  was  chipped  off,  but 
the  mattock  snapped  in  twain.  Guy  Fawkes  looked 
deeply  disconcerted,  and  Garnet,  though  he  concealed  his 
emotion,  was  filled  with  dismay. 

"  Let  me  take  your  place,"  cried  Keyes,  advancing,  as 
Guy  Fawkes  retired. 


THE  MINE.  259 

Keyes  was  a  powerful  man,  and  exerting  his  energies, 
he  buried  the  point  of  the  pickaxe  so  deeply  in  the  mor- 
tar, that  he  could  not  remove  it  unassisted.  These  un- 
toward circumstances  cast  a  slight  damp  upon  their  ar- 
dor ;  but  Catesby,  who  perceived  it,  went  more  cau- 
tiously to  work,  and  in  a  short  time  succeeded  with  great 
labor  in  getting  out  the  large  stone  upon  which  the  others 
had  expended  so  much  useless  exertion.  The  sight  re- 
stored their  confidence,  and  as  many  as  could  work  in 
the  narrow  space  joined  him.  But  they  found  that  their 
task  was  much  more  arduous  than  they  had  anticipated. 
More  than  an  hour  elapsed  before  they  could  loosen  an- 
other stone,  and  though  they  labored  with  the  utmost 
perseverance,  relieving  each  other  by  turns,  they  had 
made  but  a  small  breach  when  morning  arrived.  The 
stones  were  as  hard  and  unyielding  as  iron,  and  the 
mortar  in  some  places  harder  than  the  stones. 

After  a  few  hours'  rest,  they  resumed  their  task.  Still, 
they  made  but  small  progress  ;  and  it  was  not  until  the 
third  day  that  they  had  excavated  a  hole  sufiiciently 
wide  and  deep  to  admit  one  man  within  it.  They 
were  now  arrived  at  a  compost  of  gravel  and  flint  stones ; 
and  if  they  had  found  their  previous  task  difficult, 
what  they  had  now  to  encounter  was  infinitely  more  so. 
Their  implements  made  little  or  no  impression  on  this 
unyielding  substance,  and  though  they  toiled  incessantly, 
the  work  proceeded  with  disheartening  slowness.  The 
stones  and  rubbish  were  conveyed  at  dead  of  night  in 
hampers  into  the  garden,  and  buried. 

One  night,  when  they  were  laboring  as  usual,  Guy 
Fawkes,  who  was  foremost  in  the  excavation,  thought  he 
heard  the  tolling  of  a  bell  within  the  wall.  He  instantly 
suspended  his  task,  and  being  convinced  that  he  was  not 
deceived,  crept  out  of  the  hole,  and  made  a  sign  to  the 
others  to  listen.  Each  had  heard  the  awful  sound  be- 
fore ;  but  as  it  was  partially  drowned  by  the  noise  of  the 
pickaxe,  it  had  not  produced  much  impression  upon 
them,  as  they  attributed  it  to  some  vibration  in  the  wall, 


260  GUY  FAWKES. 

caused  by  the  echo  of  the  blows.  But  it  was  now  dis- 
tinctly audible — deep,  clear,  slow, — like  a  passing  bell, — 
but  so  solemn,  so  unearthly,  that  its  tones  froze  the 
blood  in  their  veins. 

They  listened  for  a  while  in  speechless  astonishment, 
scarcely  daring  to  look  at  each  other,  and  expecting  each 
moment  that  the  building  would  fall  upon  them,  and  bury 
them  alive.  The  light  of  a  single  lantern  placed  upon  an 
upturned  basket  fell  upon  figures  rigid  as  statues,  and 
countenances  charged  with  awe. 

"My  arm  is  paralyzed,"  said  Guy  Fawkes,  breaking 
silence  ;  "  I  can  work  no  more." 

"  Try  holy  water,  father,"  cried  Catesby.  "  If  it  pro- 
ceeds from  aught  of  evil,  that  will  quell  it." 

The  chalice  containing  the  sacred  lymph  was  brought, 
and,  pronouncing  a  solemn  exorcism,  Garnet  sprinkled 
the  wall. 

The  sound  immediately  ceased. 

"  It  is  as  I  thought,  father,"  observed  Catesby  ;  "  it  is 
the  delusion  of  an  evil  spirit." 

As  he  spoke,  the  tolling  of  the  mysterious  bell  was 
again  heard,  and  more  solemnly, — more  slowly  than  be- 
fore. 

"  Sprinkle  the  wall  again,  in  Heaven's  name,  father," 
cried  Fawkes,  crossing  himself  devoutly.  "  Avoid  thee, 
Sathanas !  " 

Garnet  complied,  and  throwing  holy  water  upon  the 
stones,  the  same  result  followed. 

END  OF   VOLUME  OM'E, 


The  conspirators  listened  in  speechless  astonishment  to  the  deep,  clear, 
tones  of  the  bell.     Page  260.  Guy  Fawkes 


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